Matt Gardner begins his fourth season as a member of Coach Gorham’s staff.  Gardner will work with the Pioneer wide receiving corps for the second-straight year.  Upon his arrival at SHU, Gardner worked on the defensive side of the ball coaching the outside linebackers.

He came to Sacred Heart after four coaching seasons with the Colorado Crush of the Arena Football League where he coached the wide receivers, linebackers and oversaw all aspects of special teams. 

Following the 2004 and 2005 Crush seasons, Gardner served as linebackers coach at Division III Fitchburg State College in Fitchburg, Mass. He helped the New England Football Conference school reach back-to-back appearances in the NEFC championship game and ECAC North Atlantic Bowl. In 2005, the Falcons were the conference's top ranked defense.  Prior to joining the Crush, Gardner spent one season coaching wide receivers and assisting with special teams at his alma mater, Division III Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Va. Gardner played wide receiver for four seasons at Randolph-Macon from 1999-2002.

Gardner earned his Master's Degree from Sacred Heart University in May, 2011 and he and his wife currently reside in Norwalk, CT.

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