Whitworth University Men's Football

Sandberg guided the Pirates to the NCAA Division III playoffs in his second year in 2015 after posting a 9-1 regular season record.  The Bucs went 6-4 in 2014, the best first-year record for a Pirate football coach since Rod Enos led the team to a 6-3 mark in 1965. Whitworth achieved at least nine victories in one season for only the fifth time in school history in 2015, a year in which the Pirates ranked among the top five in all of NCAA Division III in turnover margin and in sacks per game. Highlights from the 2014 season included two NCAA Division III records by QB Bryan Peterson in a win at La Verne, a 61-45 Homecoming victory over previously unbeaten Willamette and a 62-30 victory over Puget Sound that included seven interceptions. Sandberg served as Wheaton College (Ill.) defensive coordinator 11 years, from 2003 through 2013, and he had been on the Thunders staff as the linebackers coach since 1995 (19 seasons).  In addition he served as the teams recruiting coordinator. Sandberg coached six different players to eight NCAA Division III All-America honors and 49 All-Conference players during his tenure at Wheaton. Wheaton made the NCAA Division III playoffs five times during Sandbergs tenure as defensive coordinator.  The team never lost a first round playoff game and reached the Division III semifinals in 2008 and quarterfinals in 2003.  Sandbergs 2007 and 2013 squads led the Collegiate Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin, regarded as one of the strongest football leagues at the Division III level, in scoring defense.  The Thunder were second in the league in scoring defense five other times. As the Wheaton defensive coordinator, Sandberg helped develop Andy Studebaker (DL, 2006), Pete Ittersagen (DB, 2007 and 2008) and Brandon Dykstra (DL 2012) to All-American honors.  Studebaker is in his sixth season in the NFL, currently with the Indianapolis Colts.  As the linebacker coach, Sandberg guided Chip Parrish (1995-96), J.D. Leman (2000) and Justin Knapp (2002) to All-America honors.  Sandberg graduated from Wheaton in 1991, where he majored in Psychology and participated in varsity football and track and field.  He was a football team captain in 1990 and a two-time All-CCIW honoree.  Following graduation, Sandberg went into football coaching as an assistant at Aurora University (1991) and then as an assistant at Georgetown College (Ky.) in 1993-94. Coach Sandberg and his wife Amy have two sons, Derek and Toby. In his own words Coach Sandbergs Quotes: Other head coaching jobs have been open, why Whitworth and why now         There were a lot of reasons why.  First, it became apparent early on that Whitworth University is a special place.  And for me, what makes it so special is the quality of the people that work here.   The players, the faculty, and the administration are the kind of people I want to align myself with.         Secondly, I believe in using the privilege of being a coach to impact the lives of those around you. Whitworths mission of equipping students to honor God, follow Christ, and serve humanity fits closely with the reasons I coach.         Lastly, God made it abundantly clear that He was calling us here.  Although we loved the place we were at, we wanted to be obedient to His call. Why is this Whitworth team ready to be successful         When I met with the players on this team I sensed two very important things:  First, a real bond amongst each one of them that has been forged through the adversity they have been through.  Second, a sincere desire to embrace change.  They want to be led and they want to do the hard work it takes to reach their potential. What are some of your immediate next steps         First, since the semester is over and the team is gone, I am excited to call every current player in this program and reiterate what our vision is and tell them how excited I am to get to know them on a personal level.         Second, I need to call recruits and introduce myself and share the vision we have for this program.  I need to get them excited about how coming to Whitworth University and playing football here will be one of the greatest experiences of their life.         Next, I need to start putting a coaching staff together.  It is my desire to put together the best group of coaches in the Northwest Conference.         Finally, I desire to reach out to all the great Pirate football players of the past.  I want to share with all our alums what a privilege I feel it is to be the part of the legacy they have created and the excitement I have for the future of this program.

Puryear will be an assistant with the Pirates for his fifth season in 2015, and his second on the defensive side of the ball.  He spent his first three seasons as an assistant on the offensive line.  Puryear played with the Pirates in 1988. After graduating in 1991 with degrees in Accounting and Business Management he pursued a business career. Puryear coached youth football from 2004-2006. In 2007 he started the football program at Valley Christian School in Spokane Valley, Washington and was head coach for four years. He was the head coach for Spokanes first ever Womens Professional Tackle Football Team, the Spokane Scorn, in their inaugural season in 2011.

Johnson played wide receiver from 2001-2005 at Whitworth and graduated with a Business Management degree and also received his MBA. He was a two year starter.