Coach Gibson is entering his 3rd season with the Sharks and 23rd overall. He has led his teams to the playoffs in 21 of 22 seasons with 8 Championship appearances and 4 titles. He led the Sharks in his inaugural season to a 12-3 record and 4th Championship in Sharks history. Under his leadership, the Sharks led the league in scoring offense and scoring defense. His players swept the league awards winning the league MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, and Defensive Player of the Year. Before arriving in Jacksonville, Gibson spent 16 seasons with the Columbus Lions, amassing a 131-73 record as the team’s head coach and general manager. Gibson won three league championships between the Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL), Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL), and American Indoor Football League (AIF). Gibson and the Lions joined the National Arena League in 2017 as a founding member. During his time in the NAL, Gibson became the longest active NAL head coach serving as the head coach of the Lions in every NAL season (2017-2022). The Lions became the only team in NAL history to make it to the playoffs in every single season while also playing in three championship games in five seasons.Â
Coach Gibson coached against the Sharks in the NAL’s inaugural Championship game in 2017 where the thrilling game was decided on the very last play where the Sharks came out on top 27-21. In 2021, Coach Gibson and Lions finished 6-2 in the regular season and advanced with a playoff victory to their third NAL Championship appearance in four seasons. Gibson was named the 2021 NAL Coach of the Year. In 2022, the Lions finished third in the NAL with a 7-5 regular season record and finished strong winning their last three regular-season games including a 71-14 victory over the Orlando Predators in Columbus for their final home game.
Earlier in his career, Gibson coached high school in MD, GA, NC, and AL. In 2001, he was the NFL high school coach of the year. Gibson not only brings experience as a coach but also as a player. He played college football at Fairmont State University in West Virginia. He is still the record holder for most receiving TDs in Fairmont State history. He had a long professional career playing in multiple leagues including the CFL, GFL Europe, AFL, and AF2. The Sharks are excited to welcome Coach Gibson, his wife Sarah, and their kids Gunnar, Jett, and Steele to the Shark Family and Jacksonville community.
