There was big news at University Park over the weekend and it culminated on Monday afternoon.
On Friday, Penn State announced (in a news release) that Cael Sanderson would replace Troy Sunderland as the head coach of the Nittany Lion wrestling team. On Monday, he was introduced to Nittany Nation.
In today’s edition of Morelli OnLion, we’ll go inside the Monday’s news conference, preview some more Nittany Lions who are headed to the NFL and have another peek at a member of the Class of 2009.
Cael Sanderson was introduced as head coach of the Nittany Lion wrestling team on Monday at Rec Hall.
(Photo courtesy of Blue White Illustrated).
Let’s start with Sanderson.
There were cheerleaders. There was a crowd. There was cake (and punch). Even the Nittany Lion was there.
Yes, with much fanfare, the Cael Sanderson Era was ushered in at Rec Hall on Monday afternoon.
It was unlike any other news conference in the history of Penn State athletics. First of all, the public was invited. With approximately 700 wrestling fans watching from the Rec Hall bleachers, Sanderson appeared with athletic director Tim Curley to a thunderous ovation.
Curley wasted no time in welcoming the 29-year-old Sanderson to Happy Valley. During his 13-minute introduction of the new coach, Curley talked about Sanderson’s success on and off the mat, his family life and how he will be a good fit in the Penn State family.
“We were committed and focused on attracting the very best coach who could bring success with honor to our program by graduating our student-athletes, winning NCAA championships and developing student-athletes the Penn State way,” Curley said.
After being introduced by Curley, Sanderson made a short opening statement about being named the 12th head coach in the history of the Nittany Lion wrestling program.
“I’m excited about this and I’m excited about the future of Penn State wrestling,” Sanderson said. “I’m very grateful for this opportunity.”
Sanderson showed his sense of humor shortly into the news conference when he said that he wanted to “get the (Nittany Lion) mascot on a weight program.”
However, humor aside, one of the biggest questions entering the day was what would happen to the Penn State assistant coaches. Sanderson answered that question — sort of.
“I’m very grateful that my staff at Iowa State is going to be coming with me. I wouldn’t have gone without them,” Sanderson said.
Sanderson did not get into specifics over which Iowa State assistants would be joining him or if any Nittany Lion assistants would stay.
Before he concluded his opening remarks, Sanderson did say that he has big plans for the Penn State wrestling program, which finished third at NCAAs two seasons ago before slipping to 17th this year.
“My plans are big and my vision is big. It’s just a matter of getting it done. … I’d like get started and see what we can do,” Sanderson said.
After the short opening statement, Sanderson took questions from reporters.
One of the first question Sanderson was faced with was the obvious: Why?
Why would Sanderson leave his alma mater behind for a new challenge at Penn State?
According to Sanderson, it wasn’t an easy decision.
“It’s been very difficult. I made a decision to leave a school that I love that means so much. I’ve been very in touch with my family. I’ve been very emotional. It’s been very difficult. But I feel that I’ve made the right decision and I’m anxious to get started here,” he said.
Sanderson is considered a master recruiter and he knows that there are plenty of great recruits inside the Pennsylvania border. He plans to deliver those recruits to Happy Valley.
“Pennsylvania has the best high school wrestling in the country,”
Sanderson said as applause erupted in Rec Hall. “This is wrestling country.”
As far as Sanderson’s goals for the Nittany Lions are concerned, those are simple ones, he said.
”My goal is always to win. I believe if we can, we will win. But there’s a process. We’re going to do things the right way. We’re going to put on a program with integrity and a sense of focus for what we’re here for. And we’re going to represent this university as best we can,” Sanderson said.
Sanderson’s resume speaks for itself. He is the only collegiate wrestler to win all of his bouts. He compiled a 159-0 career record from 1999 to 2002 while wrestling at Iowa State, a team he would later go on to coach. During his collegiate career, he captured four individual national championships and won four Most Outstanding Wrestler awards at the NCAA championships. He was the first freshman in NCAA history to win the Outstanding Wrestler honor and also took home three Dan Hodge Trophies as the nation’s best collegiate wrestler.
He won a gold medal in Athens, Greece, during the 2004 Olympics.
In 2007, Sanderson Sanderson was named head coach of his alma mater.
In three seasons, he compiled a 44-10 record and his Cyclones enjoyed finishes of second, fifth and third place at the national tournament.
In those three years, all 30 of his wrestlers qualified for NCAAs.
Sanderson takes over for former coach Troy Sunderland, who recently resigned after 11 seasons at the helm of the Nittany Lions.
After the news conference, fans were invited to the floor at Rec Hall for cake and punch. They could meet the new coach and pick up ticket information for the Nittany Lions’ 2009-10 season.
NFL Draft: Offense
In today’s NFL draft preview, we’ll look at the Nittany Lions on the offensive side of the ball who are hoping to hear their names called on Saturday or Sunday.
Deon Butler, WR
The skinny: Once viewed as a free agent, Butler increased his draft stock immensely at the NFL Combine with an impressive 40-yard time.
He’s an excellent route-runner and is more than capable of hauling in the deep ball.
Round: Third
Best guess: The Indianapolis Colts are in desperate need of receiving help. Look for Butler to still be wearing blue and white come next fall.
Derrick Williams, WR
The skinny: Although Williams didn’t have a great day at the combine, he improved his stock at Penn State’s pro day with a better 40-yard time. He can also return punts and kickoffs, so that adds to his resume.
Round: Fourth
Best guess: Williams will go to a team that needs receiving depth. We like Williams to land with the Tennessee Titans. Look for him to be on the receiving end of passes thrown by former Penn Stater Kerry Collins.
A.Q. Shipley, C
The skinny: Shipley’s size has been a sticking point for NFL scouts, but he was impressive at the combine and has done well with NFL execs during the one-on-one meetings.
Round: Fifth or sixth
Best guess: There’s a tradition of great centers who wear black and gold. Playing in the shadow of Mike Webster and Dermontti Dawson won’t be easy, but Shipley will land not far from his hometown of Moon and play for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Gerald Cadogan, OL
The skinny: Cadogan was a solid offensive lineman for the Nittany Lions and his work ethic will translate well to the NFL. Like Shipley, his size is a bit of a concern for potential employers.
Round: Sixth
Best guess: Cadogan will land with an NFL team that needs offensive line depth. The Houston Texans fit that mold.
Rich Ohrnberger, OL
The skinny: Ohrnberger established himself as one of the Big Ten’s most physical linemen. Although he doesn’t possess great size or speed, his work ethic could keep him in the NFL for many years.
Round: Seventh
Best guess: Several teams have shown interest, but none more than the Chicago Bears. Look for Ohrnberger in the Windy City soon.
Jordan Norwood, WR
The skinny: Norwood’s size hurts him, but the gutsy receiver is not afraid to take a hit or throw a block. He runs solid routes and does a nice job after the catch. NFL teams will love him once he gets into camp.
Round: Seventh
Best guess: A team that is rebuilding could use a guy like Norwood.
And the Cleveland Browns are continuously rebuilding. Look for Norwood to play for another team with a logo-less helmet.
Brandon Felder is a three-star wideout, according to rivals.com.
(Photo courtesy of Blue White Illustrated).
Class of 2009: Brandon Felder
Your life can change in an instant. No one knows that better than future Penn Stater Brandon Felder.
The three-star wide receiver was poised for another big season, after catching 40 balls for nearly 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns as a junior. But in just one play during a meaningless scrimmage in August, Felder’s senior season came to an end.
“We were playing in a scrimmage, and it was a slant, and my quarterback threw the ball so I had to jump for it,” Felder said during an interview in September. “My teammates said that someone came from behind me and grabbed my waist when I was in the air, and they said that I came down on my foot wrong. I came down on my foot, and my whole leg just went numb, and I just walked off. I didn’t know it was anything serious, but I went to the doctors and he told me what it was.”
The diagnosis was a ruptured LCL and a partially torn ACL. He required surgery on the knee in September, and is still in the process of rehabbing.
Before the injury, Felder had made quite a name for himself as the Nittany Lions’ 11th verbal commitment in the Class of 2009. He committed to Penn State shortly after receiving an offer from Larry Johnson.
He also had offers from Maryland, Pittsburgh, West Virginia, Illinois and Boston College before making his decision. He had a standout performance at the State College Nike Camp in May, and committed to the Nittany Lions on May 27.
“Basically when I went up there for a visit, I fell in love with the campus and the surrounding area,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to go to Penn State.”
Felder was an all-county selection and an all-Metro honorable mention pick as a junior.
He posted the top SPARQ rating at the Baltimore combine with a 114.93 and was a member of the StudentSports.com all-combine team. He ran a
4.43 40-yard dash, a 4.15 pro agility and had a 35-inch vertical leap.
Chris Morelli is the award-winning editor of Blue White Illustrated, a weekly publication devoted to Penn State athletics. He is also a regular on “Sports Central,” which airs on ESPN Radio in Altoona and State College. E-mail him at morellionlion@gmail.com. This column does not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of BWI’s writers or publisher.