Joe Gardi

Joe Gardi

Gardi during his tenure at Hofstra
Biographical details
Born	(1939-03-02)March 2, 1939 Harrison, New Jersey, U.S.
Died	June 2, 2010(2010-06-02) (aged 71) Sayville, New York, U.S.
Playing career
1956–1959	Maryland
1960	Washington Redskins (preseason)
1961	Buffalo Bills (training camp only)
Position(s)	Linebacker, offensive tackle
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1964–1966	Oratory Prep (NJ)
1967–1969	Roselle Park (NJ)
1970	Maryland (freshman/RC)
1971	Maryland (OL)
1972–1973	Maryland (WR)
1974	Philadelphia Bell (ST/RB)
1975	Philadelphia Bell (interim HC)
1975	Portland Thunder
1976	New York Jets (ST/TE)
1977–1980	New York Jets (ST/LB)
1981–1982	New York Jets (DC)
1983–1985	New York Jets (AHC/DC)
1990–2005	Hofstra
Head coaching record
Overall	119–62–2 (college)
Tournaments	2–1 (NCAA D-III playoffs) 2–5 (NCAA D-I-AA playoffs)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
1 A-10 (2001)

Joseph T. Gardi (March 2, 1939 – June 2, 2010) was an American football coach. He served as the head football coach at Hofstra University for 16 seasons, from 1990 to 2005, compiling a record of 119–62–2.^[1][2] He is the father of NFL executive Dave Gardi.

Gardi was raised in Harrison, New Jersey^[3] where he attended Harrison High School.^[4] While there, he was named a first-team all-state offensive guard as a senior in 1955.^[2]

He attended the University of Maryland, where he played football from 1959 to 1960 as an offensive tackle and linebacker. He served as a team co-captain and received the Unsung Hero Award. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration.^[2]

In 1960, he was signed by the Washington Redskins of the National Football League (NFL). He played in two pre-season games before being released. In 1961, he attended camp with the Buffalo Bills, but did not make the team.^[2]

In 1964, he was hired as the head football coach for the Oratory Preparatory School in Summit, New Jersey. The team had lost 37 consecutive games prior to Gardi's arrival. In his first season, they again recorded a winless season with a 0–9 record. The following years he compiled 6–3 and 5–4 seasons, for a combined 11–16 record. In 1967, he took over as head coach at Roselle Park High School. That team had not secured a winning season in the previous decade. In his first season Gardi's team compiled a 2–7 record, followed by 6–3 and 9–0 records. In 1969, he coached the team to the New Jersey state championship.^[2]

In 1970, Gardi returned to his alma mater to assume the roles of assistant head coach for the freshman team and recruiting coordinator. That year, he was responsible for recruiting future star quarterback, Bob Avellini. In 1972, he was promoted to the offensive line coach. In 1973, after new head coach Jerry Claiborne took over at Maryland, he retained Gardi and moved him to wide receivers coach.^[2]

In 1974, Gardi began a tenure in the short-lived World Football League. He served as a running backs coach, special teams coach, and interim head coach for the Philadelphia Bell. In 1975, he served as head coach for the Portland Thunder for three games before the league disbanded.^[2]

Gardi then served from 1976 to 1984 as an assistant coach for the New York Jets in the NFL. In 1976, he was special teams and tight ends coach under head coach Lou Holtz. Gardi served as special teams and linebackers coach from 1977 to 1980. In 1981 and 1982, he was the defensive coordinator under head coach Walt Michaels. In his first year running the defense, the Jets allowed 304 yards per game, a conference best, and posted 66 sacks, the highest in the NFL. The following season, the Jets participated in the AFC Championship Game, where they lost to the Miami Dolphins. In 1983, Gardi was also named assistant head coach to Joe Walton.^[2]

From 1985 to 1990, Gardi served as an NFL assistant supervisor of officials, which included training and supervision of the league's officiating staff.^[2]

He returned to coaching in 1990 when he took the head position at Hofstra University. In his first season, he led his team to a 10–0 regular season and advanced to the Division III playoffs, where they lost in the semifinals. In 1991, Hofstra began the transition process to Division I-AA competition, and played six I-AA opponents and recorded an 8–2 record. The following season they played seven I-AA opponents and compiled a 4–6 record. The 1993 season was Hofstra's first as a full-fledged Division I team, and Gardi's team posted a 6–3–1 record. In 1994, they finished 8–1–1 and were ranked 22nd in the nation. In 1995, Hofstra lost in the first round of the playoffs to finish with a 10–2 record and a number-ten national ranking. In both 1998 and 1999, Hofstra again advanced to the I-AA quarterfinals, and finished with a fifth and seventh ranking, respectively. Hofstra was an Atlantic 10 Conference co-championship and top-ten ranked team in 2001.^[2] The 2005 season was Gardi's last and he finished his career at Hofstra having compiled a 119–62–2 record.^[1]

Gardi was inducted into the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame on Long Island in the Football and Coaches Categories with the Class of 2000. He retired from coaching for good after the 2005 season.^[5] Gardi died on June 3, 2010, from complications related to an earlier stroke.^[5] During his coaching career, he had helped develop future NFL players such as Wayne Chrebet, Lance Schulters, Marques Colston, Willie Colon, and Raheem Morris.^[5]

He is the father of National Football League (NFL) administrator and executive Dave Gardi, who worked in the league office for 21 years prior to joining the Washington Commanders in 2024. He previously played college football as a quarterback for the Brown Bears.^[6]