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Mike Gardner has been named the Head Football Coach at Malone College, athletic director Hal Smith announced today.  Gardner has been the head coach for Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kansas the past two years having led the Bluejays to a school-best 11-1 record in 2005 with an NAIA national playoff victory and a #6 ranking in the final NAIA poll.  He also led his 2004 squad to the NAIA playoffs and finished the season with a 9-2 record and a #14 final ranking.

Gardner served as the Defensive Coordinator at Tabor from 2001 to 2003 and helped guide the Bluejays to their first-ever NAIA national playoff appearance in 2003 and a #15 NAIA national ranking.  In addition, he was named the AFCA NAIA Assistant Coach of the Year for the 2003 season.  His ’03 defense ranked 11th in the final NAIA statistics while his 2002 team ranked an impressive second overall.

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

President Ron Johnson stated, “The search committee’s top criteria included experience at a Christian college similar to Malone, strong support of the College’s mission, and proven ability to produce teams of championship quality.  The committee was impressed that Mike met and even exceeded each of its key criteria.”

Athletic Director Hal Smith added, “We’re very excited to secure Mike as the head football coach at Malone College.  His credentials both on the field and off are impressive and we feel confident that he will do an excellent job in bringing success to the Pioneer football program.  Mike brings a passion to develop young men athletically, academically and spiritually.”

Gardner will start on February 1st at Malone and hopes to have a full staff in place within several weeks.