Report: ETSU's Randy Sanders Suspended for Hitting Player During Practice

East Tennessee State football coach Randy Sanders was suspended by the university after allegedly hitting defensive back Tyree Robison during practice. 

Joe Avento of the Johnson City Press reported the news.

Sanders allegedly hit Robison during Friday's practice session but was allowed to conduct practice Saturday. He's reportedly been suspended with pay, pending "an investigation of potential violation of university policy."

Sanders, 52, was hired as East Tennessee's head coach last December. He previously served as Florida State's co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2013-17 and has been an assistant at a Power Five school his entire career. His hiring was seen as something of a potential stepping stone for East Tennessee into the class of the FCS.

East Tennessee did not have a football program from 2004-14, shuttering the team due to financial reasons. The school brought back football for the 2015 season but has yet to post a winning record.

The Buccaneers will not have a head coach or offensive coordinator for their spring game Thursday. Offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield left the program for a job at Baylor.