Matt Gardner
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- Title:
- Passing Game Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach
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- Phone:
- 847-735-5287
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- Email:
- gardner@lakeforest.edu
The 2016 season will be the first for Matt Gardner at Lake Forest College and 12th as an assistant at the collegiate level. He serves as the team’s quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator.
Gardner spent the last eight seasons at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut. He began as an outside linebackers coach for the Pioneers before moving to the offensive side of the ball to work with the wide receivers. He was made Sacred Heart’s quarterbacks coach in 2013 and passing game coordinator in 2015. Under his direction, the Pioneers’ quarterback was named All-Northeast Conference First Team three times and the league’s Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2013.
Prior to his time at Sacred Heart, Gardner spent four years coaching the wide receivers and linebackers for the Colorado Crush of the Arena Football League. He also oversaw all aspects of the franchise’s special teams.
Following each of his first two seasons with the Crush, Gardner also served as linebackers coach at Fitchburg State College in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. He helped the program make back-to-back appearances in the New England Football Conference championship game.
Prior to joining the Crush, Gardner spent one season coaching wide receivers and assisting with special teams at his alma mater, Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Virginia. Gardner played wide receiver for four seasons at Randolph-Macon and graduated in 2003 after double-majoring in political science and international relations.
Gardner earned his master’s degree from Sacred Heart in May of 2011. He and his wife Emily reside in Lake Forest.
