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Known for scouting ability, work ethic, defense,
intensity and successful guard play, Pat Sandle is
in the third year of his second stint as an
assistant coach at Pittsburgh. Along with head coach
Jamie Dixon, Sandle (pronounced San-dell) came to
the University of Pittsburgh in 1999. Sandle's
primary responsibilities will be to oversee guard
play and scout opponents.
Sandle has played a key role in helping lead
Panthers basketball back to national prominence.
Since Sandle arrived back at Pitt in 2003, the
Panthers own a 51-14 record (.785 winning
percentage) and have advanced to two NCAA
Tournaments. In 2003-04, the Panthers set a
school-record with a 31-5 record, captured the Big
East regular-season title and advanced to NCAA
"Sweet Sixteen" play for the third straight year.
Sandle came back to Pittsburgh from UCLA, where he
served as an assistant basketball coach from
2001-03. At UCLA, Sandle helped lead the Bruins to
an NCAA Sweet Sixteen appearance and 20-plus win
season under Steve Lavin in 2001-02. During his
tenure at UCLA, he helped coach NBA players Dan
Gadzuric, Matt Barnes and Jason Kapono.
"We're fortunate to have Pat Sandle back at the
University of Pittsburgh," Head Coach Jamie Dixon
said. "Pat and I have known each other for a number
of years. From the start, he was instrumental in
building this program."
During a five-year coaching tenure with Dixon on
Howland's staffs at both Pittsburgh and Northern
Arizona (1996-99), Sandle was responsible for guard
play, scouting, conditioning and player development,
on-campus recruiting and academic progress. He also
served as director of the school's summer basketball
camps. During Sandle's 2000-01 season on
Pittsburgh's staff, the Panthers advanced to the
National Invitation Tournament, their first
postseason appearance in four years. While at
Northern Arizona, the Lumberjacks enjoyed their most
successful three-year period in school history
(63-23, .733), won back-to-back Big Sky
Championships and advanced to the 1997 NIT and 1998
NCAA Tournament.
Sandle has 19 years of coaching experience including
nine seasons at the NCAA Division I level. He has
served NCAA Division I stints at Pittsburgh
(1999-2001, 2003-current), UCLA (2001-03), Northern
Arizona (1996-99), Fresno State (1991-92) and Saint
Mary's College, Calif. (1990-91). Additionally,
Sandle has coached at Sonoma State (1994-96), Santa
Barbara City College (1989-90), Skyline (Calif.)
Junior College (1987-88) and Cuesta College
(1986-87). He also coached two stints at San Rafael,
Calif. High School in 1988-89 and from 1992-94.
A standout at San Francisco State University
(1982-84), Sandle is a member of the school's
athletic hall of fame. A two-time All-California
North Conference selection, Sandle is the school's
all-time career assist leader (268) and ranks third
in career steals (120). He also held the
single-season assists record for seven years with
138 in 1983-84.
Sandle began his basketball career at Los Angeles
Crenshaw High School under legendary prep coach
Willie West. As a 6-foot-1-inch senior guard, Sandle
helped lead Crenshaw to back-to-back Los Angeles
city championships. Sandle was a standout junior
college performer at Cuesta College (1980-82),
earning All-California and All-North Coast
Conference honors. He played his final two seasons
at San Francisco State (1982-84), where he earned
his undergraduate degree in communications in 1987.
In 1988, Sandle played professionally in Spain for
one year.
He also served as the basketball consultant on the
1996 Francis Ford Cappola movie Jack, starring Robin
Williams and Jennifer Lopez. |
