Custom Search ALBANY, Ga. – Albany State University Athletics has selected a new head coach for the university’s Golden Rams Football Program. Gabe Giardina, offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Charleston Southern University, begins his head coaching duties at ASU on April 24, 2017.
Giardina
Giardina, selected from a pool of more than 100 applicants following a national search, has more than eight years of experience in football leadership roles at the collegiate level.
Both ASU President Art Dunning and Director of Athletics Sherie Gordon said the university’s focus on student success played a major role in the selection of the coach and thus they greatly valued the input of student-athletes in the selection process.
“We wanted a strong leader with a plan and genuine passion about the social and academic development of our young men,” Gordon said. “We wanted someone committed to recruiting in the state and in bordering states. We wanted someone who could connect with our student-athletes and engage positively with the university and the Albany community. We wanted a winner. We have found that person in Gabe Giardina.”
During his recent tenure at Charleston Southern University, led by a multiple option offense, CSU’s football team amassed 36 wins in four seasons, the most wins in four years in that program’s history. The team won two Big South Conference championships in 2015 and 2016, and made two NCAA playoff appearances. In 2014 and 2016, the offense averaged more than 400 yards per game. Charleston Southern ranked 14th in the NCAA Division I FCS Coaches Poll at the conclusion of the 2016 season.
Giardina also has three years of experience as an assistant head coach and special teams and running back coordinator at CSU. He served as coach of wide receivers at Delta State University in 2012.
As a student and graduate assistant for the University of Alabama, Giardina worked for both Mike Shula and current Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban. He played for the Crimson Tide from 2000 to 2003. He appeared in nine games and earned Academic All-SEC honors in 2003.