We not only worked on Austin's kicking but we played a little golf and enjoyed the beautiful Canadian landscape.
It was my first time in Canada and believe me the mountains, rivers and forest areas of Canmore and Banff Canada were gorgeous.
My wife Michelle and I visited the Anderson's and spent a couple beautiful days in Canada.
In the photo below Gary, his wife Kay, Michelle and I enjoy a drift boat experience down the river between Banff and Canmore. Gary Anderson is not only a Pro Bowl Kicker but a pro bowl fisherman and skipper.
When I was the Special Teams Coordinator with the Minnesota Vikings I had the pleasure of coaching Gary Anderson for 5 years. In 1998 Gary connected on 40 consecutive field goals and had the first 'Perfect' season for a kicker in NFL history.
Below is Gary Anderson's testimonial about working with Coach Zauner
“I had the privilege of working with Coach Gary Zauner for 5 years while playing for the Minnesota Vikings. Gary is easily the most knowledgeable kicking coach in the country. His approach of blending all the technical aspects of kicking with a practical common sense approach, is one of Gary’s finest qualities. He can improve any kicker in a very short period of time and put you on a precise road to success. He is simply the Very Best!”
Gary Anderson's Resume:
#1 - 23 Year NFL Kicker – NFL 1990’s All Decade Team Steelers / Eagles /49ers / Vikings & Titans Pro Bowl’s 1984 / 85 / 86 / 93 & 98 – 1998 Perfect Season
Below is an article that was sent to me from Gary and Kay Anderson about their son Austin.
Head Lines: Son of NFL gun has field day with 5 field-goals
Sep 07, 08 Football (M) By Earl Zukerman
MONTREAL -- Austin Anderson, a 19-year-old son of former NFL all-star kicker Gary Anderson, began his collegiate career with a bang Saturday (Sept. 6).
He went 5-for-5 on field goals but it wasn’t enough to help McGill University celebrate their 107th season opener as the visiting Redmen lost 45-17 to the University of Sherbrooke, which is located about two hours east of Montreal. Anderson accounted for 15 of McGill’s 17 points and just missed the team’s single-game record of six field goals, established by Glenn Miller in 1984. Anderson is one of only five players in McGill history to nail at least five in a game. Others include Greg Ashley (1981), Andrew Boon (twice: 1993, 1994) and Anand Pillai (1999).
Anderson, who measures 5-foot-7 and weighs just 145 pounds, hit on distances of 27, 43, 21, 42 and 32. He also had one attempt blocked and averaged 47.5 yards on two kickoffs. Last year, the Redmen became the first Canadian university football team in 28 years to go an entire season without attempting a field goal.
"That's what I came here to do," says the Pittsburgh-born Anderson who has also lived in Minnesota and now calls Canmore, Alta., his home. "I practice all year to be perfect and am glad to see that my homework has paid off so far."
Anderson is hoping to one day become the third McGill player --the first two were both long-snappers -- to play in the NFL:
J.P. Darche is in his second season with Kansas City after seven years in Seattle. And Randy Chevrier, who was drafted by Jacksonville but played for Dallas and Cincinnati, is currently with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League.
Over the years, the McGill football program has also produced 56 players for the CFL.
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