The Abilene Flying Bison are so pleased to announce that we have hired our first Assistant Coach of the 2026 season. We welcome Blake Sandford to the coaching staff, an experienced coach who has spent more than three decades mentoring kids to colleagues (and everyone in between), utilizing innovative techniques which have brought positive results at every professional stop.
About Blake Sandford
A former collegiate athlete and international rugby player, Coach Sandford honed his skills by listening and following some of the brightest minds in the world of sports. This tutelage ultimately led to an outstanding coaching career which included being honored by his peers as a 5-time Coach of the Year (at 3 different stops), a 2-time High School All-Star Coach, and leading 24 different teams to the playoffs in 2 different sports. His programs have produced state championships, hundreds of academic all-state students, and dozens of collegiate athletes.
For 12 years, Coach Sandford also served as a professional baseball scout for the MLB helping organizations in talent development. He is also the owner of the Hard 90 Coaches Clinic, is a camp worker for several collegiate summer camps, and was selected to the Baseball Advisory Board of the Texas High School Coaches Association.
Here’s what President and General Manager, John Stark, had to say about Coach Sandford joining the Flying Bison:
“We are so excited to welcome Coach Sandford to our coaching staff for 2026. Obviously Coach Sandford brings a wealth of experience to our staff and will be integral in the personal development and on-field development of our roster and coaches in the coming season.”
Today, Coach Sandford brings his experience as a former player, assistant coach, head coach, athletic director, and administrator to folks across the country as he continues to mentor young men and women in areas of leadership, culture change, and goal-setting. His practical experiences and down-home charm continue to motivate students, coaches, and communities to achieve at the highest level and to always seek new paths for success in challenging environments.
A native of Austin, he now resides on a ranch outside Brownwood, TX with his wife, Kim (also an educator!), and delights in travel, concerts and – when time allows – cultivating his land for recreation and relaxation. Learn more about Coach Sandford stay up to date with him by checking him out on X.
On behalf of everyone at the Abilene Flying Bison organization, we want to welcome Coach Blake Sandford to the 2026 coaching staff. We’re excited for his bright future with the Bison.