Cory Sauter
Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Phone: 507-537-6324
Email:
cory.sauter@smsu.edu
Cory Sauter, who has spent the past two seasons helping lead a high-powered Mustang offensive attack as an assistant coach, begins his first season as head coach of the Southwest Minnesota State football program in 2010.
Sauter was named the 10th head coach in program history on March 29, 2010, after serving a month as interim head coach. He brings six years of professional football playing experience in the National Football League and both collegiate and professional football coaching experience to the Mustang program.
Sauter takes over as head coach after spending two seasons as an assistant coach, including serving as offensive coordinator in 2009. During his season as offensive coordinator, as well as serving as quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator, SMSU averaged 36 points per game, the third highest in school history, and also scored 30 or more points in eight games tying a school single-season record.
SMSU junior quarterback Ryan Ratekin was named NSIC Offensive Newcomer of the Year in 2009, setting a school record with a 63.9 percent completion percentage, while passing for 2,963 yards and 33 touchdowns. The 33 touchdowns ranks as the third highest in school history.
Cory Sauter with the Indianapolis Colts
SMSU senior quarterback Josh Shudlick had a record breaking season during Sauter’s first season on the sideline in 2008 setting a conference record for passing yards and tying the league record for touchdown passes in one season. The Mustang offense lead the NSIC in passing yards, while Shudlick finished first in the conference in passing yards per game and total offense.
Prior to SMSU, Sauter, a native of Hutchinson, Minn., spent several years coaching at both the collegiate and professional levels. In 2006 he served as quarterbacks/receivers coach for the Hamburg Sea Devils in NFL Europe and was also a graduate assistant at the University of Minnesota. In 2007 he was quarterbacks coach for the Berlin Thunder.
A 1997 graduate of the University of Minnesota, Sauter had a record-setting career at quarterback for the Golden Gophers and spent six seasons in the NFL from 1998-2004. He played four seasons for Minnesota (1994-97), including starting the final 34 games of his collegiate career and playing in the Blue-Gray All-Star Football Classic following his senior season. He finished his career as the school's all-time career record holder for pass completions, pass attempts and passing yards. Sauter earned his master's degree from the University of Minnesota in 2003.
Following his collegiate career Sauter spent six seasons in the NFL from 1998-2004. He signed as a free agent with the Arizona Cardinals in 1998 before spending time with the Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears and Indianapolis Colts. He appeared in one regular season game in his career completing 6 of 9 passes for 59 yards in a 2002 game with the Chicago Bears. He also played one season for the Barcelona Dragons in NFL Europe.
Cory and his wife Amy live in Marshall with their daughter Berlin.
Sauter Coaching Experience
2006 Hamburg Sea Devils (quarterbacks/receivers)
2006 University of Minnesota (defensive backs)
2007 Berlin Thunder (quarterbacks)
2008-09 SMSU (quarterback/pass game coordinator/offensive coordinator)
2010 SMSU (head coach)
Sauter Playing Experience
1993-97 University of Minnesota
1998 Arizona Cardinals
1999-00 Detroit Lions
2000 Barcelona Dragons
2001-03 Indianapolis Colts
2002 Chicago Bears
Cory, Amy and Berlin Sauter
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