Sacred Heart University

Recruiting Areas - CT (Fairfield, Litchfield Counties and CT Prep Schools), NJ (Bergen County), IL, WI

Garnder enters his 17^th season in 2025 as the associate head coach for the Sacred Heart football team. He also serves as the offensive coordinator for the Pios. 
 
Gardner played wide receiver for four seasons at Randolph-Macon from 1999-2002. He earned his master’s degree from Sacred Heart University in May 2011.
 
COMBINED STINT AT SHU
2017-present

• Serves as the offensive coordinator and quarterback coach
• Was part of the 2018, 2020-21, 2021 NEC Championship Teams
• Helped the Pios finish 2021 ranked 22^nd in the FCS National Poll
• Guided the offense and finished second in the NEC in total offense in back-to-back seasons (2022 and 2021) 
• Ranked second in the NEC in passing in 2017, 2019, 2022
• Coached two All-NEC quarterbacks - Kevin Duke and Marquez McCray.
• In 2022, McCray was the second Pioneer to earn the NEFWA Golden Helmet Award.
• Coached running back Julius Chestnut and offensive linemen Josh Sokol and JD DiRienzo.
• Chestnut and Sokol recently signed with NFL Teams - Tennesse Titans and Minnesota Vikings. 

2008-15

• Served as an assistant coach - quarterback coach, recruiting coordinator, and passing game coordinator
• Helped guide SHU’s offense to back-to-back NEC Championship titles and FCS playoff appearances (2013 and 2014)
• SHU’s offense led the NEC in total offense in back-to-back seasons (2013 and 2014)
• Led the Pios’ offense to its first FCS Championship appearance in 2013
• Led the offensive attack to a pair of wins over nationally ranked Delaware and Bryant for the program’s first-ever wins over nationally ranked opponents 
• Coached former quarterback RJ Noel, who was a three-time All-NEC honoree and named 2013 NEC Rookie of the Year.

BEFORE SHU
Lake Forest College 

• Served as the quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator
• Foresters had their best offensive season statistically averaging 38.6 points per game and 439.9 yards per game
• Coached and mentored wide receiver Alex Pasiewicz, who was named a 2016 First Team All-American by D3Football.com and the American Football Coaches Association 

Fitchburg State College

• Served as linebackers coach
• Back-to-back appearances in the NEFC Championship game and ECAC North Atlantic Bowl
• NEFC top-ranked defense (2005)

Colorado Crush – Arena Football League

• Coached wide receivers and linebackers.
• Oversaw all aspects of special teams

Randolph-Macon College

• Coached wide receivers and assisted with special teams.