Jason Gardner is in his fifth season at his alma mater after being named Director of Player Relations in August 2021.
He has helped the Wildcats claim four conference titles and make three appearances in the Sweet 16 since joining the coaching staff while mentoring student-athletes off the court.
Before returning to Tucson, Gardner was the head boys basketball coach at North Central High School in Indianapolis, Indiana during the 2020-21 season. During his high school playing career at North Central, Gardner won a state title, was named the 1999 IndyStar Mr. Basketball and earned McDonald's and Parade All-American honors.
Prior to coaching at North Central High School, he was the head coach at IUPUI for five seasons (2014-19), guiding the Jaguars to their third-ever postseason appearance in 2018-19. Gardner ranks third in IUPUI history for wins and was a finalist for the 2019 Ben Jobe National Coach of the Year award, which is presented annually to the top Division I minority coach.
Before being named the head coach at IUPUI, Gardner was an assistant coach for former Arizona teammate Josh Paster at the University of Memphis for one season (2013-14). He was also an assistant coach for Porter Moser at Loyola Chicago for two seasons (2011-13).
Following his four-year standout career at Arizona, he played professionally overseas for eight seasons. He was named MVP of the German Basketball Bundesliga in 2009 and was a two-time all-star in the Bundesliga.
As a player at Arizona, Gardner was a 4-time All-American, the 2003 National Player of the Year and is one of six former Arizona men's basketball players to have his number recognized inside the McKale Center.
In addition to the accolades already mentioned, Gardner's decorated career at UA saw him earn the Senior CLASS Award and he finished his career as one of four players in Pac-10 history to have 1,500 points, 500 assists and 200 steals. He helped the Wildcats win two Pac-10 regular season titles and one Pac-10 Tournament crown, make four NCAA Tournament appearances – including a national runner-up finish in 2001. As a freshman in 1999-2000, Gardner averaged 12.6 points, 4.8 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.6 steals on his way to being named consensus National Freshman of the Year.
Gardner's name is still all over the statistical records at Arizona, currently ranking third in career scoring (1,984), second in three-point field goals made (318), second in free throws made (516), third in free throw attempts (663), fourth in assists (622), third in steals (225), fourth in games played (136), first in games started (135), first in minutes played (4,825) and fifth in career wins (107).
Gardner earned his undergraduate degree in Disciplinary Studies from Arizona in 2011.
