Damien Gary joined the 49ers as the team’s Running Backs Coach, July 1, 2012. He has been with the 49ers for four seasons, beginning with the red-shirt season of 2012, through the inaugural season of 2013 and onto the first FBS campaign in 2015.

In Charlotte’s first season at the FBS level as a member of Conference USA, the 49ers ranked sixth in the league in rushing offense (163.1/gm). Junior RB Kalif Phillips, who was one of the first two 49ers to earn all-C-USA honors, was fifth in the league with an 87.4 rushing average with 961 rushing yards.

In the 49ers inaugural season, Gary oversaw a backfield that ranked 26th in the FCS in rushing offense at 206.8 yards/game. The 49ers ranked 27th in scoring offense, led by the 13 touchdowns from freshman RB Kalif Phillips. In 2014, Phillips became the 49ers first 1,000-yard rusher (1,436 yards) and scored 20 touchdowns. The 49ers rushed for 222.4 yards per game.

Gary was a four-year letterwinner at the University of Georgia, who helped key the Bulldogs 2002 SEC Championship team. He coached at Mars Hill for two years in 2011-12 as the Wide Receivers Coach. He also had responsibility with the special teams return units and worked as an academic coordinator. He served as an assistant varsity and junior varsity football coach at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Ga. from 2005-2010.

Georgia’s all-time career punt returner in both returns (114) and yards (1,253), Gary was a member of Georgia’s 2002 Sugar Bowl Championship team. He was a wide receiver for Georgia from 2000-03, playing alongside current 49ers football assistant Joe Tereshinski. He graduated with a degree in Sports Communications in December, 2005. In May, 2013, he earned his Master of Education from Mars Hill College.

“Damien played for us at the University of Georgia,” Lambert said. “He has a lot of experience on the offensive side of the ball. I’ve known him for a long time and I like the kind of person he is and the direction he’ll give our student athletes.”

He, his wife, Chanell and daughter, Carsyn live in Charlotte.

DAMIEN GARY FILE

Education:   
Bachelor of Science, Georgia, 2005 (Sports Communication)
Masters: Mars Hill, 2013 (Education) 

Coaching Experience: 

Charlotte, 2012-15
2012-15: Running Backs Coach
2013: 5-6; Inaugural Season
2014: 5-6
2015: 2-10, 0-8; Inaugural FBS season

Mars Hill, 2011-12
2011-12: Wide Receivers Coach
Special Teams (Return)
Academic Coordinator

Clarke Central H.S. (Athens, Ga.), 2005-10
Assistant Varsity; Junior Varsity Coach

Playing History:

University of Georgia, 2000-03
Wide Receiver/Punt Returner
2002 SEC Champions
2002 Sugar Bowl Champions