This week on Inside the Headset, we are featuring Stonehill College’s head football coach Eli Gardner. Coach Gardner discusses the new changes in a coach’s career, the change to Division 1 FCS for Stonehill College, and his experience with the AFCA 35u35.

Coach Gardner is in his seventh year as the head coach at Stonehill. He served in other roles at Stonehill before taking over the head coaching position with experience as the special teams & defensive coordinator and associate head coach. Coach Gardner was a part of the 2018 AFCA 35U35 class at the 2018 AFCA Convention in Charlotte, NC. Coach Gardner is a 2008 graduate of Western New England University, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Management. Gardner completed his Master’s Degree in Athletic Administration from Endicott College in 2014.

1:44 Journey of Climbing the Coaching Ladder

3:16 When did you meet your wife?

4:53 How to prepare family for reality of coaching

7:33 Coaching goals when you first started?

9:54 What changes have you created at Stonehill?

12:11 Any new hires at Stonehill?

16:01 What are some unforeseen responsibilities for you as the HC

19:56 Changes from D2 to D1-FCS

24:32 How prepared were you for the change in divisions

27:16 Prepping players for the jump

29:46 Spring Recruiting - Post D1 Announcement

32:46 Experience with 2018 AFCA 35u35 class

36:13 Social/Conclusion

Twitter Accounts to Follow For More:

@CoachEliGardner

@StonehillFB