Coach Joe Gardener spent years as a professional rugby player with the Portugal National Team and pro clubs in Japan, France, and Portugal, earning top-scorer accolades for multiple rugby clubs. He came to the US with the goal of becoming an NFL punter. Joe played one season at UW-Whitewater and then had multiple NFL tryouts in the following years. He joined the Kohl's staff in 2015 and now provides an in-depth knowledge and experience on how Australian punting techniques translate to American football. He has coached numerous kickers and punters to the next level.
Coach Gardener currently runs the Kohl's Chicago Training Division and frequently travels, leading camps nationwide.
Coach Gardener gives Oakland Raiders' Marquette King tips on the Australian-style punt
Coach Gardener playing for the Portugal National Rugby Team
With three kickers overall taken in the NFL Draft, the sixth round was a big one. All with similar attributes, when the first was selected, other teams knew they had to act fast. Within the span of ten draft picks, all three top kickers on draft boards were taken by teams looking for a kicker.
36 of the last 46 NFL drafted specialists over the past 10 years have been Kohl's attendees. Here's a look at all 44 Kohl's athletes taken in the NFL Draft and how involved they were with the Kohl's Staff.
