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USF tackles king Auggie Sanchez joins Bulls staff

The former Northeast High standout previously served on FSU’s staff.
 
USF coach Charlie Strong, shaking hands with linebacker Auggie Sanchez (43) on senior night in 2017, has brought Sanchez aboard his staff as a quality-control assistant. (OCTAVIO JONES   |   Times)
USF coach Charlie Strong, shaking hands with linebacker Auggie Sanchez (43) on senior night in 2017, has brought Sanchez aboard his staff as a quality-control assistant. (OCTAVIO JONES | Times)
Published July 31, 2019|Updated July 31, 2019

TAMPA ― After a year away, the all-time leading tackler in USF history is coming home.

Former middle linebacker Auggie Sanchez, who finished his career in 2017 as the program’s career tackles leader (388), is joining Charlie Strong’s staff as a quality-control assistant, the Tampa Bay Times has learned.

He spent the 2018 season as a graduate assistant to former Bulls coach Willie Taggart at FSU. He replaces Saki Mihalakos, who stepped down for personal reasons.

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“I’m a Bull through and through, and my long-term plan for coaching was always to end up back here,” Sanchez said in a text message Wednesday.

“The fact that it happened so soon just makes it even sweeter. Now I can do my part in giving back to the university that has already given so much to me.”

Sanchez starred at Northeast High before evolving from a disgruntled Bulls fullback to a force in the center of the defense the better part of four seasons.

A three-time All-American Athletic Conference pick (including first-team recognition in 2017), Sanchez tied George Selvie’s USF school record with 50 career starts. His 120 tackles as a junior in 2016 were one shy Tyrone McKenzie’s single-season mark.

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He went undrafted in 2018 and made a cameo in a New York Giants rookie camp before hooking up with Taggart in Tallahassee.

“I’m extremely thankful for the opportunity, and I am thrilled to be back home at USF,” he said.

USF players report to preseason camp Thursday; the first practice ― closed to the public ― is Friday at 6 p.m.

Contact Joey Knight at jknight@tampabay.com. Follow @TBTimes_Bulls.