The Calvin University football program announced the hire of Austin Garde as its new Offensive Line Coach on Thursday.
 
Garde arrives at Calvin with experience coaching the offensive line at Olivet Nazarene University (Ill.) from 2021-23, as well as several other position groups during his coaching career.
 
"I am excited to add Coach Garde to our staff," Calvin head football coach Trent Figg said. "He brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience, having successfully played and coached the offensive line at the college level. Coach Garde is an elite teacher and developer of young men both on and off the field and he is passionate about our mission of building champions for life. He will do a great job of developing our offensive linemen as we continue to build our program from the ground floor. Coach Garde is a family man, and we are thrilled to welcome his entire family to Calvin."
 
Garde started his coaching career at Olivet Nazarene in 2018 as the assistant offensive line coach and tight ends coach. After two seasons there, he coached the offensive line and wide receivers for one season at Liberty High School (Fla.) in 2020.
 
He returned to Olivet Nazarene in 2021 to coach tight ends before moving over to coach the offensive line once again in 2022 and 2023.
 
During his tenure, Garde helped Olivet Nazarene to its first undefeated season in 2020-21, and also helped the program to its first NAIA playoff appearance in 20 years that season. He coached the MSFA Offensive Lineman of the Year (Terrian Rainey) in 2022, and also helped Olivet Nazarene average at least 5.0 yards per carry every season from 2018-23.
 
Garde was a four-year letter winner at Taylor University (Ind.) from 2013-17, starting 39 games on the offensive line and earning one All-Conference honor during his career. He graduated with a degree in sports management in 2018 from Taylor, and added a master's degree in business administration from Olivet Nazarene in 2022.
 
Garde and his wife, Destinee, live in the Grand Rapids area with their children.
 
"My family and I are extremely excited to be joining the staff at Calvin University!" Garde said. "It is an amazing school, program, and team. We are grateful to Coach Figg for giving us this opportunity. We are eager to see what lies ahead for the Knights and are honored to be apart of the journey. Go Knights!"