Former UM basketball strength coach lands job with another Big Ten program

It didn’t take long for Jon Sanderson, the former longtime strength and conditioning coach for the Michigan men’s basketball program, to find another job in the Big Ten.

Illinois announced Thursday that it has hired Sanderson to a consulting role.

“Excited to have Jon Sanderson assisting our program as sports performance consultant,” the Illinois men’s basketball program posted on social media.

“We will utilize Jon’s industry expertise — which includes three Final Fours and developing 30 NBA players during his career — through conversations and meetings with our current staff to create a first in class performance development program.”

Sanderson resigned from his position at Michigan earlier this month after he had a non-physical confrontation with coach Juwan Howard at a practice in early December. The altercation led to an internal review that determined no disciplinary action was necessary for anyone involved.

Sanderson stopped working with the team following the incident. Mike Favre, Michigan’s strength and conditioning director, took over Sanderson’s spot and finished the season with the team.

Sanderson, who played at Ohio State and Ohio, served as Michigan’s strength and conditioning coach since 2009. He played a critical role in the program’s player development and is credited for helping the Wolverines produce 17 NBA Draft picks, including 11 first-rounders, since 2011.

His offseason workout regimen — often referred to as “Camp Sanderson” — was lauded and became an integral part of Michigan’s knack for transforming unheralded recruits into pro prospects, particularly during former coach John Beilein's tenure.

Michigan’s loss has turned into Illinois’ gain, as Sanderson will take his valuable experience and impressive track record to a conference foe.

jhawkins@detroitnews.com

@jamesbhawkins