Two titles add up to five more years

UNIVERSITY PARK — The man who has guided Penn State wrestling's ascension to the national mountain top will be sticking around Happy Valley a little longer.

Cael Sanderson signed a five-year contract extension with Penn State on Tuesday afternoon, a university spokesman confirmed to the CDT.

Sanderson also confirmed the new extension on his Twitter page.

"I have a job for 5 more years. Just signed a contract extension. Penn State!!" Sanderson tweeted.

The extension for Sanderson was in the works for months with talks beginning in April shortly after the Nittany Lions romped to their second consecutive national championship under Sanderson's tutelage.

Since he took over the reins from Troy Sunderland, Sanderson has led Penn State to its first two Big Ten championships, two national titles and has coached 14 All-Americans and four individual NCAA champions.

Under Sanderson, Penn State has dominated the major college wrestling landscape, racking up a 43-8-2 overall dual meet record in three seasons. In addition to its NCAA championship wins, Penn State has secured two Southern Scuffle titles, a Virginia Duals crown and a Hodge Trophy Winner in junior David Taylor.

Sanderson, the only undefeated wrestler in NCAA history, recently returned from London, where he helped coach Nittany Lion Wrestling Club athlete Jake Varner to an Olympic gold medal win.

A graduate of Iowa State, Sanderson coached at his alma mater where he led the Cyclones to three top-five finishes in the NCAA Championships in each of his years as coach before moving to Penn State in 2009. Sanderson also led the Cyclones to three Big 12 titles in his time there.

As a wrestler, Sanderson went unbeaten in college, racking up a 159-0 record and won an Olympic gold medal at the 2004 Olympic Games.

Sanderson could not be reached for comment and Penn State acting athletic director David Joyner did not respond to interview requests.