Hartsville’s (South Carolina) Keith Sanders marks four decades as an assistant coach for the same team

By Annmarie Toler | Posted 10/18/2017

Four decades of coaching is an accomplishment very few have achieved. Four decades of coaching with the same football program is an accomplishment that even fewer have or will achieve.

Hartsville (South Carolina) High School assistant coach Keith Sanders joined the Hartsville Red Fox coaching staff in 1977. Now in his 41st season, Sanders is working with his fourth head coach, Jeff Calabrese.

Sanders has seen generations of players play for the Red Foxes, and to Sanders, it's more than a game. Football is about helping prepare players for the future.

Discipline is the most important lesson Sanders wants players to learn, and carry with them on and off the field. Sanders said a good work ethic and the desire to never give up are what he wants the players to take away from the game.

After so many years of coaching, Sanders has found one thing to be true. Teams learn more about the game from losing than from winning. He said to SC now, “I like not losing more than I like winning,” adding you learn more from the big game you lose.

Sanders told SC now he has had many second thoughts about coaching and staying in one spot, but never any regrets, he said, “This is who I am.”

While football is a big part of Sanders’ life, he is passing on his years of knowledge to players both in football and in life lessons.

Sanders often reminds players to not let high school football define them, to not let this be the greatest part of their lives.

Football teaches players so many things, and coaches are more than coaches to players they become mentors. 

Head coaches can only be as great as the staff that surrounds them on the sidelines.  Do you have or know of an assistant coach who has spent years coaching and deserve recognition? We would love to hear about their dedication. Click here  to share their story.

Check out the Power of Football.

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