Guerin Catholic’s Sam Gardner moves up to boys basketball head coach

The REPORTER

The Guerin Catholic athletic department announced that Sam Gardner was named head coach of the Golden Eagles’ boys basketball team on Monday.

Gardner is the third head coach in program history. He is a 2008 graduate of Guerin Catholic and has served the boys basketball program since the school opened in 2004.

Throughout the program’s storied history, Sam has played a key role – as a player helping build the program’s foundation with Hall of Fame coach Pete Smith, as an assistant coach capturing the 2015 Class 3A State Championship and assisting former coach Bobby Allen to the 2023 Class 3A State Finals.

An announcement from the Guerin Catholic athletic department said, “Sam Gardner is the ideal fit to continue the tradition and excellence of the program while preserving the mission of Guerin Catholic.

Sam and his wife, Katie (Regan) Gardner, a 2010 Guerin Catholic graduate, have three children and are parishioners at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church.

“As a product of the Guerin Catholic basketball program, it is difficult to articulate the pride I feel in being selected to serve in this role. Guerin Catholic basketball is special – it has changed the trajectory of my life and the lives of many others. Coach Smith created a unique program, and Coach Allen built upon that vision. Our staff will work to ensure that the program continues to shape young men by furthering the mission of the school. This opportunity only arose through the work of God, my wife and kids and Guerin Catholic. It is an honor to be called to give back to the community in this way.”

Smith said he remembered Gardner playing for the Golden Eagles in a freshman game during the 2004-05 season, the first year for a GC boys basketball team.

“I truly believe that there is no one that has bled and loved the Guerin Catholic basketball program, more than me, than Sam Gardner,” said Smith. “He went to Wittenburg and played basketball there. He was the Academic Athlete of the Year, which combines both athletics and academics, his senior year.”

“I’m so happy that his work schedule worked out well enough that he could apply for the job and was selected,” said Smith.