C.M. graduated from Kossuth High School in Mississippi in 1974. He graduated from Mississippi State University in 1978 and received his Masters from there in 1980. Coach Sanford served as defensive coordinator for Coach Jerry Elmore at Fort Pane High school for fifteen seasons from 1984-1999. During that time, Fort Payne had their first ten-win season and made their first ever playoff appearance. While C.M. was at Fort Payne they were area champions five times. Also, while at Fort Payne. he served as head or assistant coach for the boys and girls track and cross country teams for fifteen years. Those teams produced three State Championships and eight State Runner Up teams. Coach Sanford has coached thirty-three individual or relay State Champions. He and his wife Pam have one daughter and two grandchildren.
