The University of Akron Athletics
Football
- Title:
- Assistant Coach | Pass Game Coordinator | Wide Receivers
- Email:
- fbrecruit@uakron.edu
- Phone:
- (330) 972-7466
Bryan Gasser is in his third season in 2021 at the University of Akron as the Zips’ offensive coordinator and tight ends coach.
Gasser served as the wide receivers coach at Iowa State for the last three seasons (2016-18). His work with Iowa State’s receiving corps and special team units, which he mentored in his first two years in Ames, drew rave reviews.
One of Gasser’s success stories at Iowa State was Allen Lazard, a two-time First-Team All-Big 12 wide receiver, who ended his career with school records in receptions (241), receiving yards (3,360) and 100-yard receiving games (12).
Lazard’s senior year in 2017 was one of the best in school history, breaking the ISU record for touchdowns in a season (10) and ranking second in receptions (71). He also ended his career with a school-record 48-straight games with a reception and earning MVP honors in the Liberty Bowl.
In 2018, Gasser helped Hakeem Butler record one of the best seasons for a Cyclone wide receiver in school history. Butler, who earned Second-Team All-America honors by The Athletic, shattered ISU's season receiving yardage record with 1,318 yards. Butler ranked third nationally in yards per reception (22.0) and ninth in the nation in receiving yards per game (101.4). Butler ranked third nationally in 40-yard catches (10) and tied for first in school history with six 100-yard receiving games. Butler was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in 2019 with the first pick of the fourth round (103 overall).
ISU’s 2017 season was one of the best in the history of the program. The Cyclones broke its school record for wins over ranked opponents (3), victories on the road (5) and appeared in the AP national rankings for the first time in 12 years.
Butler, who was an Honorable Mention All-Big 12 pick, was a breakout star in his sophomore season, ranking 47th nationally in yards per reception (17.0) and tying for ninth on ISU’s season touchdown reception list with seven.
Other ISU receivers who signed as rookie free agents included Allen Lazard (2018, Jacksonville Jaguars; now with the Green Bay Packers), Marchie Murdock (2018, Dallas Cowboys), and Matt Eaton (2019, Green Bay Packers).
Gasser spent five seasons on Matt Campbell’s staff at Toledo (2012-15) before following him to Iowa State. In Gasser’s five-year tenure at Toledo, the Rockets played in four bowl games and had four nine-win seasons.
Gasser was the tight ends coach and special teams coordinator in his last two seasons at UT. He previously served as the Rockets’ director of high school relations in 2013 where he helped the recruiting staff assemble the No. 1 ranked recruiting class in the MAC, according to Rivals.com and Scout.com. He also worked as a graduate assistant at UT in 2010 and 2012, primarily working with the tight ends.
In 2015, tight end Michael Roberts caught 18 passes for 188 yards and four TDs in the 12-game regular-season. The Rocket special teams play was also outstanding, ranking ninth nationally with two blocked punts and second in the MAC in punt returns (11.27). Punt return specialist Corey Jones was a first-team All-MAC recipient, ranking 29th nationally in punt returns at 10.5. Roberts was a fourth round draft pick (127 overall) by the Detroit Lions in 2017.
In 2014, Gasser guided Rocket tight ends that were an integral part of Toledo’s offense, which ranked No. 1 in the MAC. Alex Zmolik caught 16 passes, including a career-best six in the GoDaddy Bowl. Roberts grabbed two TD passes in limited playing time, while Zac Rosenbauer was a key blocker in short yardage situations.
The Rockets ranked No. 1 in kickoff coverage and No. 2 in punt return yards in the MAC in 2014 under Gasser’s guidance. UT also earned MAC West Special Teams Player of the Week honors five times, three by placekicker Jeremiah Detmer and two by kick returner Jones. Detmer earned second-team All-MAC honors and finished his career as the most accurate field-goal kicker in conference history (84.4 percent).
Also in 2014, four players under Gasser’s tutelage earned Academic All-MAC honors: long snapper Brad Spelman, Detmer, Zmolik and Rosenbauer.
Toledo’s 2013 recruiting class was ranked No. 1 and included four future NFL Draft picks: Kareem Hunt, 2017 3rd Round pick (86); Michael Roberts, 2017 4th Round pick (127); Rodney Adams 2017 5th Round pick (170); and Logan Woodside, 2018 7th Round pick (249).
For the 2011 season, Gasser coached the wide receivers and was co-offensive coordinator at Notre Dame College, a Division II school in South Euclid, Ohio. Gasser helped the Falcons set records in scoring, yards per game and passing yards per game.
Gasser earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Ohio Northern in 2009 where he played football (2003-05), earning All-OAC and Academic All-OAC honors at tight end in 2005. He then served as an assistant coach at his alma mater from 2006-08, working with tight ends and running backs. He coached three All-OAC players in his three seasons at ONU.
In 2009, Gasser served as the offensive line/special teams coach at Otsego High School while completing his master’s degree in education from Bowling Green State in 2010.
A native of Northwood, Ohio, Gasser attended Cardinal Stritch High School, where he played football, basketball and track.
Gasser and his wife Jessica have a daughter Witten.
9-13-21
