N.C. State’s defensive coordinator Tony Gibson has been appointed as the head coach of Marshall University, following the announcement of Charles Huff’s move to Southern Miss. This marks Gibson’s inaugural head coaching position and celebrates his return to his native West Virginia, as he has spent the last two decades working within the state, notably at West Virginia. Specifics regarding the terms of Gibson’s contract have not been publicly shared yet.
Marshall University President Brad Smith expressed enthusiasm about Gibson’s hiring, stating, “We could not be happier to welcome Tony Gibson home as our 32nd head coach at Marshall University. Coach Gibson has led some of the top programs on the national level, but in the end, his heart desired to return to the mountains from which he came.” The announcement of Gibson’s hiring came shortly after Huff secured a championship victory for Marshall against Louisiana-Lafayette in the Sun Belt finale last Saturday, contributing to an impressive season with the Thundering Herd finishing 10-3 after a seven-game winning streak for their first 10-win season since 2015.
Gibson’s coaching journey includes significant experience at West Virginia, where he developed his career from 2001 to 2007 under coach Rich Rodriguez, handling defensive backs. He returned in 2013 as a safeties coach before advancing to defensive coordinator the following year, serving in that role until the departure of coach Dana Holgorsen in 2018. Preceding his time at N.C. State, Gibson also held assistant coaching positions at Pittsburgh and collaborated with Rodriguez at both Michigan and Arizona.
A native of Van, West Virginia, Gibson graduated in 1994 from Glenville State, where he excelled as a defensive back. Athletic director Christian Spears emphasized the significance of Gibson’s recruitment, proclaiming, “We have recruited a proven coach that aspires to be at Marshall and to sustain the success we have come to appreciate and expect. We can’t wait to get started with him and his staff.”
One of the immediate challenges Gibson will face is strengthening the roster for Marshall, which has only signed 11 recruits during the recent early signing period. His ability to successfully replenish the team will be crucial as he launches his new tenure with the Thundering Herd.
