Gary Zauner

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Gary Zauner
Gary Zauner.png
Zauner with the Baltimore Ravens in 2003
Profile
Positions Placekicker  • Punter
Personal information
Born (1950-11-02) November 2, 1950 (age 75)
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Career information
High school Milwaukee (WI) Hamilton
College Wisconsin–La Crosse
Career history

As kicking consultant:

Gary Zauner (born November 2, 1950) is an American football coach. [1] He coached 13 seasons in the National Football League (NFL) with the Minnesota Vikings, Baltimore Ravens and Arizona Cardinals. He has coached kickers for over 35 years in high school, college and the NFL. Further, he was a successful college kicker playing for the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse.

Contents

Zauner also operates a kicking consulting service located in Fountain Hills, Arizona.

Playing career

Zauner was a four-year letterman in football and baseball at University of Wisconsin–La Crosse (1968–72). He went to training camp as a punter with the Minnesota Vikings in 1973 and the Houston Oilers in 1974.

Coaching career

College

Brigham Young

Zauner began his coaching career in 1979 at Brigham Young University under Head Coach LaVell Edwards. He became the first full-time special teams coach in the NCAA. At BYU he recruited punter/kicker Lee Johnson, a future fifth-round draft choice by the Houston Oilers in 1985.

San Diego State

He then moved to coach special teams at San Diego State for five Seasons (1981–85) turning the Aztecs into one of the best special teams units in the nation. At SDSU, he helped to recruit current Redwoods defensive assistant coach and longtime NFL safety Robert Griffith.

New Mexico

Zauner spent the following three seasons (1987–89) at the University of New Mexico where he coached former NFL wide receiver Terance Mathis, who tied an NCAA season record (1989) for three touchdown's on kickoff returns.

Long Bech State

In 1990, Zauner was hired by George Allen to coach at Long Beach State for two seasons (1990–91).

National Football League

From 1980 to 1993, Zauner worked as a kicking consultant for the Philadelphia Eagles, Cleveland Browns, San Diego Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, Chicago Bears, Kansas City Chiefs, Seattle Seahawks, New York Giants.

Minnesota Vikings

In 1994, Zauner was hired by the Minnesota Vikings to be their special teams coordinator under head coach Dennis Green.

Baltimore Ravens

In 2002, Zauner was hired by the Baltimore Ravens to be their special teams coordinator under head coach Brian Billick.

Arizona Cardinals

In 2006, Zauner was hired by the Arizona Cardinals to be their special teams coordinator, rejoining Dennis Green.

Post-NFL career

In 2009, Zauner would join Dennis Green on the California Redwoods of the United Football League (UFL) as their special teams coordinator.

After leaving the Redwoods, Zauner began a career as a private kicking coach and opened a kicking consulting service based in Fountain Hills, Arizona, where he hosts an annual kicking combine for kickers that are hoping to get drafted or signed by a professional team. He has worked with kickers such as Brandon Aubrey, Donald De La Haye, and Matt Gay. [2] [3]

Personal life

Zauner attended Hamilton High School. He earned bachelor's and master's degrees in physical education from University of Wisconsin–La Crosse.

References

  1. ↑ "Coach Zauner Joins The United Football League's (UFL) California Redwoods As Special Teams Coordinator". PRWeb.com. September 12, 2009. Archived from the original on November 13, 2009.
  2. ↑ Craig, Mark (November 20, 2024). "Analysis: The NFL's first 70-yard field goal is coming. Here's why". www.startribune.com. Retrieved November 8, 2025.
  3. ↑ Deestroying (January 23, 2024). I Kicked In Front Of An NFL Coach.. (Project NFL Ep. 2) . Retrieved November 8, 2025– via YouTube.
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