Montclair State University Athletics

Returning for his seventh season, Joe Gambardella serves as the linebackers coach. Gambardella brings over three decades of coaching experience to MSU and was a standout on the gridiron at the University of Wisconsin. A starter for the Badgers at both linebacker and fullback, Gambardella went on to play fullback for the Denver Gold in the United States Football League (USFL) before an injury ended his playing career. Gambardella coached at Fordham University for eight years as defensive coordinator and linebacker coach. He was also head coach at three New Jersey high schools including River Dell and Westwood where his teams captured league and state championships. Gambardella coached current Green Bay Packer BJ Raji while at Westwood. Gambardella was honored as Coach of the Year by the Bergen County Coaches Association and National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame. He earned his master's degree in Administration / Supervision at St. Peter's College and coordinates the Bergenfield Alternative High School.