Gabe Giardina named head football coach at Albany State University

ALBANY — Gabe Giardina has been introduced this afternoon as the new head coach of Albany State University’s football team.

Gairdina comes to ASU from Charleston Southern University, where he served as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach.

According to the CSU website, Giardina entered his fifth season as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach in 2017.

“Wimberly and I could not feel more blessed and excited to join the Albany State family.  We are glad to make our home at a place with such a rich history and tradition,” Giardina said. “From the moment this process started we could sense and feel the passion and commitment that both Dr. Dunning and Sherie Gordon have for the development of the student athlete as a whole person.  We are going to win with culture, character and integrity.  We want to be Albany’s team!”

“We are going to be a bright light in this community that alums and community members will be proud of by the way our young men compete on the field and by the way they conduct themselves off the field.  It is our goal that all our players have the type of experience that truly transforms their lives and puts them on a path to do the same for others, all while bringing home championships to southwest Georgia.”

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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.”

“I met with our director of athletics after four finalists came to campus for a series of interviews. Upon completion of that process, I accepted her recommendation for this appointment,” Dunning said. “Having a head football coach who is committed to building character, promoting academics as a priority and working to ensure that our players graduate into meaningful careers aligns directly with our goal for student success. I am pleased to welcome Coach Giardina and his family to Albany State University. I look forward to working with him to develop and sustain a winning football program on and off the field of play.”

The GSU website says Giardina’s unit has been pivotal in Charleston Southern’s ability to pile up 35 wins, two Big South Conference championships and two FCS playoff bids over the last four years.

Giardina worked as an graduate assistant at his alma mater, Alabama, from ’05-‘07, his CSU bio says.

Giardina also has three years of experience as an assistant head coach and special teams and running back coordinator at CSU. He served as an offensive coach for wide receivers at Delta State University in 2012.