ERIE, Pa. – Gannon head football coach Erik Raeburn has announced the addition of longtime coach Ron Gardner to the Golden Knights' coaching staff. Gardner will serve as the tight ends coach, bringing more than 50 years of experience as a player, coach and scout to the program.
“We are excited to have a coach of Ron’s caliber join our staff,” Raeburn said. “He had an incredible playing career and brings over 30 years of coaching experience to share with our team.”
Gardner comes to Gannon after serving as the wide receivers coach at West Virginia Wesleyan. He joined the Bobcats' staff in March 2024, assisting with the coaching and recruitment of student-athletes while focusing on their development both on and off the field.
Prior to West Virginia Wesleyan, Gardner spent the 2023-24 season as the wide receivers coach at Etowah High School in Georgia. He previously served as the wide receivers coach at Roswell High School from 2020-23 after working as an offensive coach with the Roswell Middle School Feeder Program from 2018-20.
Gardner has also enjoyed an extensive high school coaching career in Michigan. He has served as a head coach at the high school level and helped lead two teams to state championships. Throughout his coaching career, Gardner has mentored players who went on to compete at the professional level.
His football experience also includes time at the professional level. Gardner spent time as a wide receiver with the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants and later worked as a scout with the Raiders.
Gardner's coaching philosophy centers on developing student-athletes both on and off the field. He emphasizes discipline, mental toughness and academic achievement while striving to build team unity and a championship culture based on respect, honor and patience.
Known as “Papa Ron” for his dedication to mentoring young athletes, Gardner has spent more than five decades teaching, training and encouraging athletes at various levels.
Gardner has four daughters, Renee, Jennifer, Megan and Destiny, along with eight grandchildren and two great-granddaughters.
