Jason Gardner

Position: Assistant Coach Alma Mater: Arizona (2003)

Former University of Arizona standout and All-American Jason Gardner is in his first season as an assistant coach at Loyola University Chicago. A native of Indianapolis, Gardner spent last season as an assistant coach at Cathedral High School in his hometown.

"Jason has been around winning and championship programs all his life," Loyola Head Coach Porter Moser said. "Coaches from Lute Olson to Josh Pastner have talked about his contagious work ethic and leadership abilities. We set out to find someone with ties to the state of Indiana and Jason is well respected and connected there. He has been where all of our players aspire to go - a national championship game."

Gardner brings an outstanding pedigree to Loyola, having played under Hall of Fame coach Lute Olson at Arizona. In addition to taking the Wildcats to the NCAA Championship game in 2001, Gardner also won a state title as a high school player and put together a solid professional playing career in Europe.

Prior to his tint at Cathedral High School, Gardner was a standout professional player in Europe, spending most of his time in Germany, where he starred for seven years before opting to join the coaching ranks.

His best season as a collegiate player came in 2001-02, when he averaged 20.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.6 steals per game, while helping the Wildcats to a 24-10 overall record.

A 2003 graduate of Arizona, Gardner was a four-time All-America selection as a player and helped the Wildcats to a 2001 NCAA Runner-Up finish. As a prep player at North Central High School in Indianapolis, Gardner earned the prestigious Mr. Basketball award for the state of Indiana and was both a McDonald's and Parade All-American and helped his team to the 1999 state title.