New era for Wasilla football

WASILLA -- A new era has begun in the local prep football community.

On Friday Wasilla High School named Joe Gardner have head coach of the Warrior football program. Gardner, a teacher and member of the Wasilla coaching staff during the 2003 season, replaces Nathan Ford, who resigned in November.

Wasilla assistant principal Dan Michael, who sat on the committee that selected Gardner and alerted him he had become the school's head football coach, cited several reasons why Gardner stood out on a short list of finalists.

"It was really his enthusiasm that got people excited," Michael said. "He worked hard to prove himself."

Immediately following a disappointing 2003 season for the Warriors, Gardner took on the responsibility of overseeing the off-season conditioning of the players in the program.

"He showed he was really committed even before the position was open," Michael said.

Gardner has directed the team's weight lifting program and has given student-athletes additional opportunities to improve themselves in the training room.

"We obviously suffered a great deal due to lack of physical strength," Gardner said.

In addition to managing the team's off-season conditioning, Gardner's first priorities include choosing a staff. Gardner said he is interested in retaining members of the Ford administration in addition to looking elsewhere for new help.

"We definitely have some great prospects," Gardner said. "There are a couple of guys that should be coming back."

Gardner cited first-year assistant coach Doug Reich as a coach he would like to invite to join his staff.

"I was impressed with what he did with the C-team," Gardner said. "He interacted well with the players."

Other potential members of the Gardner staff include Jason McCourt and Tony Jensen, each longtime Wasilla assistants and former Warrior players. McCourt and Jensen were also finalists for the head coaching position.

Gardner said his plan is to build on the values such as integrity and sportsmanship that were prominent in the Ford era, but change can be expected.

"Our dynamics will change," Gardner said. "Mr. Ford did a wonderful job, but it is time for a new clean slate."

Gardner said it still may be early to predict the style of Wasilla's play, but leans toward the option offense and smashmouth defense.

"I have a couple of different ideas, depending on our strength and numbers," Gardner said.

Prior to his appointment as Wasilla head coach, Gardner has coached on levels ranging from Pop Warner to high school. He played high school football in Montana where his team won three consecutive state titles. His team did not lose a game in his final two seasons.