Gardner joined the Chaparrals staff in 2012 after spending the 2011 season as an assistant coach at Midland College.  He is a native of Andrews, Texas, where he graduated in 2004, and a graduate of Oklahoma State University.  At OSU, Gardner was a 2006 All-Big 12 honorable mention and regional all-tournament team member (Arkansas Regional) while spending three seasons (2005-2008) with the Cowboys.  He was drafted three times (Astros, Mariners, Dodgers) as both a catcher and a pitcher. Gardner is the son of Andrews High School head coach Rodney Gardner and Vickie Gardner.  Both parents are LCU graduates and Rodney was a 1975 All-American at Lubbock Christian playing under Larry Hays. Rodney went on to coach locally in Lubbock at Abernathy and Estacado before moving to Andrews.  Matt followed in the footsteps of his father once his playing career ended at OSU.  He spent two seasons (2009-2011) as a graduate assistant and pitching coach at OSU and served as the pitching coach at Ranger Junior College (2010) before heading to Midland College.