Joe Gardi, former Hofstra football coach, dies at 71

Former Hofstra football coach Joe Gardi dies at 71

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. — Joe Gardi, the former Hofstra football coach who helped shape the NFL careers of Wayne Chrebet and Marques Colston and Tampa Bay coach Raheem Morris, has died. He was 71.

The university posted on its website that Gardi, who coached Hofstra from 1990-2005, died Wednesday after suffering a stroke last week.

Gardi was 119-62-2 in 16 seasons at Hofstra, ranking second in school history in wins and winning percentage (.650). Under Gardi, Hofstra — which has since dropped football — upgraded from Division III to I-AA and earned its first NCAA playoff victories.

He served an assistant with the Jets from 1976-84 before taking the Hofstra job.

Gardi is survived by his wife, Audrey, two children Joanne and David, daughter-in-law Michele, and four grandchildren.