Tim Sanders graduated from Huffman High School in Birmingham. After high school, he played wide receiver at Troy State between 1974-77 before earning his degree.

In 1984, Sanders became the head football coach at Ohatchee. He spent two years at Ohatchee with a 12-11 record and two playoff appearances. Coach Sanders moved to Warrior High Schools for six seasons in 1986. His Indians went 32-32 during his six years as the head coach.

Sanders took over the football program at Leeds High School in 1992. His best team at Leeds was a 9-3 squad in 1999. His Green Wave teams went 66-65 during his twelve seasons in Leeds. He also served as the athletic director and boys golf coach at Leeds.

Coach Sanders served on Gerald Ganns football staff at John Carroll Catholic as an assistant coach. He coached the secondary in 2004 and also in 2007.

In 2006 the veteran Jefferson County coach was named the first head football coach and athletic director in Shades Mountain Christian School history. His Shades Mountain Christian team went 4-6 that first season of competition in the AHSAA.

He also spent three seasons as an assistant coach at NCAA Division III Birmingham-Southern.

In 2013 Tim Sanders was named the head football coach at John Carroll Catholic High School. He came to the Cavaliers after two seasons as an assistant coach in Mississippi. He was the offensive coordinator at Newton County in 2012. Sanders worked under former St. Clair County coach Charlie Boren at Newton.