OKLAHOMA CITY - The Oklahoma City Public Schools athletic department announced the hiring of Shane Sanders as the district’s new Executive Director of Athletics and Physical Education on Monday.

Bringing more than 20 years of athletics and education experience to the role, Sanders is no stranger to OKCPS. In addition to his coaching background, he’s held multiple administrative positions in OKCPS. Sanders served as an assistant principal and administrator over athletics, overseeing site-based athletic operations. Most recently, he served as the district’s Principal Supervisor, supporting and coaching secondary school leaders throughout Oklahoma City Public Schools. These roles have deepened his systems-level insight, and strengthened his capacity to align athletics, academics, and student wellness.

“Every student deserves an opportunity - not just to compete, but to be seen, to grow, and to rise.” said Sanders in his introductory meeting with the OKCPS Board on Monday. “Athletics is where that opportunity begins, and leadership ensures it never ends. I’m excited to lead that charge in this new role, and help make Oklahoma City Public Schools a #FirstChoice district.”

A proud Midwest City High school graduate, Sanders was a standout athlete where he helped anchor the Bombers to state championships in football in 1994 and 1995, and a state championship on the track in 1998. He began his coaching career in 2000, holding both assistant and head coaching roles in football, baseball, and track at the middle and high school levels across the Mid-Del, Moore, and OKCPS districts.

He served as an assistant coach under Gary Rose and Mike Corley at Carl Albert High School, contributing to four football state championships (2012, 2016, 2017, 2018). He later helped launch the Classen SAS at Northeast football program in 2019 as an assistant principal supervising athletic activities.

Since transitioning to educational leadership in 2018, Sanders has remained a steadfast advocate for student-athletes, developing athletic programs, mentoring coaches, and fostering partnerships with families and community stakeholders to broaden opportunities and post-secondary outcomes for students.

In his new role as Executive Director of Athletics and Physical Education, Sanders is focused on aligning athletics with academics and post-secondary success, along with expanding access and support for all student-athletes in the district.