Coaching Background

Gardner led the 2005 Bluejays to an 11-1 record with an NAIA national playoff victory and a No. 6 ranking in the final NAIA poll. And he led his 2004 squad to the NAIA playoffs and finished the season with a 9-2 record and a No. 14 final ranking.

Prior to becoming Tabor's head coach, Gardner had been Defensive Coordinator under Coach Tim McCarty from 2001 to 2003. He helped the Bluejays earn their first-ever NAIA national playoff appearance in 2003 and a No. 15 national ranking. That same year, Gardner was named the AFCA NAIA Assistant Coach of the Year and the AFLAC Assistant Coach of the Year. The Tabor defense was ranked 11^th in the final NAIA statistics in 2003, and was ranked second in 2002.

Prior to his first stint at Tabor, Gardner spent five years at Lindenwood (Mo.) University, where he served as Special Teams Coordinator, from 1996-1999, and Defensive Coordinator, in 2000. Gardner also was quarterbacks and receivers coach at Bethel College, from 1993-1996, and the Special Teams and Recruiting Coordinator at Hastings (Neb.) College from 1990-1993.

At Malone University, Gardner wasted little time in instituting a drastic turnaround, developing a winning attitude for a Pioneer football program that had struggled prior to his arrival. In four years as head coach at Malone, which plays in the rugged Mid-States Football Association (NAIA), Gardner directed the Pioneers to a 7-4 record in '06, an 8-4 tally in '07, a 6-4 finish in '08, and a 4-6 record in '09.

Athletic background

· Olathe South High School

· Baker University (3-Time NAIA All-American, 4-Time All-Conference Selection)

Academic background

Graduated from Baker University (Bachelor's degree in Physical Education) and earned a master's degree from Hastings College in Hastings, NE, (Masters of Arts in Teaching)

Family

Wife - Julie

Sons - Ben (16) and Brooks (7)