Big news out of Johnson City Monday morning as recently named ETSU head coach Randy Sanders has reportedly been placed on administrative leave.

This news will make waves in Knoxville, too, as Sanders and ETSU are scheduled to play Tennessee in Neyland Stadium Week 2 of the season on Saturday, Sept. 8. Of course, Sanders is also a Tennessee graduate and coached in Knoxville for over a decade under Phillip Fulmer. In fact, the ETSU coach served as offensive coordinator for the Vols in the program’s BCS National Championship Game.

Sanders, a native of East Tennessee, was named head coach of ESTU this offseason.

Josh Smith of WJHL New Channel 11 of Johnson City, was the first to report Sanders had been placed on leave. According to the WJHL website, Sanders was placed on leave “pending an investigation of potential violation of university policy.”

Kane O’Neill of WJHL is also reporting that ETSU’s offensive coordinator, Marcus Satterfield, is no longer with the program. He was hired in January to run ETSU’s offense.

What looked to be an easy win for the Vols may have just turned into a laugher due to the instability currently going on in Johnson City.

UPDATE: According to Joe Avento of the Times News, Sanders reportedly struck a player in the helmet during practice. That is believed to be the reason for the administrative leave ETSU placed on Sanders.