Robert Gardner is in his third season at Jacksonville State after being hired on staff in June of 2019.
Gardner helped Macdonald navigate through the 2020-21 COVID-19 pandemic with the season pushed to the spring of 2021. The Gamecocks turned in a solid effort with four conference victories, including wins over regular season champion, Murray State and knocked off SIU Edwardsville.
The 2019 club was veteran-laden with a large senior class and a season that was decimated by injuries. The injuries allowed young players to step in and gain valuable playing time. Freshman Cynthia Bagozzi  finished her first season as a Gamecock as the top scorer on the club with seven goals, including four against OVC competition. The forward from Orlando, Florida also led Jax State in total shots with 38 on the season. She accumulated 15 points combined with her goals-scored and assist. Bagozzi played in all 18 matches and logged 1,396 minutes of action. JSU claimed the 2020 Ohio Valley Conference Sportsmanship award for soccer.
Gardner brought 16 years of coach experience to JSU, including four seasons at Jackson Academy in Jackson, Mississippi. The Jackson Academy graduate guided his alma mater to three consecutive Mississippi Association of Independent Schools Division I state titles from 2016 to 2018. Gardner, who also coached the boys program, led the Raiders to appearances in the state championship match in 2017 and 2018. As a varsity coach, he compiled a 121-56-7 record. His record includes three seasons as varsity boys and girls soccer coach at Starkville Academy in Starkville, Mississippi.
The coaching bond between Gardner and Macdonald was established while Macdonald was the head coach at Mississippi State. Gardner was the director of coaching for the Starkville Soccer Association from 2010-2012. He expanded his professional experience with one season with the Mississippi Blues SC in 2018, which was a member of the Gulf Coast Premier League. He also gained coaching experience on the prep level as an assistant coach at Center Hill High School in Olive Branch Mississippi.
Gardner holds a USSF National D license from the USSF along with a Class C license from the USSF, which he earned in February of 2018.
As a player at JA, he led the Raiders to three Mississippi Final Four appearances in 2001, 2002 and 2003. Gardner was named a First Team All-State selection in 2003 and participated in the 2003 Mississippi High School Al-Star Game where he earned most valuable player honors in the contest.
Gardner graduated from Mississippi State University with his bachelors in 2008 and his masters in 2013. Gardner and his wife Kayla, have twi children child, Louie and Jude.
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