A graduate of McAllen High School, Gunnar Henderson joined UTRGV as a graduate student wide receivers coach in the fall of 2024 and was promoted to the full time position of wide receivers coach in June 2025 after playing in the 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship game with TCU.
2025
Led a receivers unit that ranked 15th in the FCS and first in the Southland in passing yards per completion (13.72) and 24th in the FCS and second in the Southland in passing yards per game (246.9).
Coached Tony Diaz to Associated Press All-American Honorable Mention, FCS Football Central and Stats Perform Freshman All-American honors, Dave Campbell’s Texas Football All-Texas Non-FBS Second Team recognition, seventh place in the Jerry Rice Award voting, Southland Conference Freshman of the Year, All-Conference First Team recognition, two National Freshman of the Week Honorable Mentions (Nov. 17 & Oct. 27), and Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Week (Nov. 17). Diaz ranked sixth in the FCS and first in the Southland in receiving touchdowns (11), 14th in the FCS and third in the Southland in receptions per game (5.67), 32nd in the FCS and second in the Southland in receiving yards (875), 34th in the FCS and third in the Southland in receiving yards per game (72.9), 44th in the FCS and second in the Southland in total touchdowns (11), 102nd in the FCS and eighth in the Southland in total points scored (66), 103rd in the FCS and eighth in the Southland in scoring (5.5), 146th in the FCS and 10th in the Southland in all-purpose yards per game (72.83), and 180th in the FCS and ninth in the Southland in yards per receptions (12.87).
Coached Xayvion Noland to rank fourth in the FCS and first in the Southland in yards per reception (22.46), 39th in the FCS and fifth in the Southland in receiving touchdowns (7), 43rd in the FCS and fifth in the Southland in receiving yards (831), 46th in the FCS and fourth in the Southland in receiving yards per game (69.3), 101st in the FCS and sixth in the Southland in all-purpose yards per game (82.67), 136th in the FCS and 10th in the Southland in total touchdowns (7), 165th in the FCS and 14th in the Southland in kick return yards (161), and 174th in the FCS and 14th in the Southland in receptions per game (3.08).
Previously
In two seasons at TCU, Henderson saw time at wide receiver and on special teams, making 13 receptions for 235 yards and two touchdowns in 26 games. A two-time Academic All-Big 12 honoree, Henderson averaged a team-best 20.3 yards per completion as a senior before competing in the New Orleans Saints’ 2023 rookie minicamp.
Henderson began his collegiate career at Incarnate Word, helping his team to the 2018 Southland Conference Championship. He was elevated to team captain as a sophomore while earning Academic All-Southland Conference honors.
While at McAllen, Henderson was an offensive most valuable player, all-region and all-district wide receiver as a junior and senior. He was also a three-time all-district return specialist and, as a sophomore, an all-district defensive back.
Henderson graduated from TCU in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies.
