In his 13^thyear at West Virginia and 23^rdoverall, Tony Gibson has built a reputation as an outstanding recruiter and one of the top defensive minds in college football.                                                                            
 
Gibson returned to Morgantown in 2013 and has been the defensive coordinator since 2014 adding the associate head coach title in 2016. He spent seven years as an assistant coach on the defensive staff in his first stint in Morgantown from 2001-07.
 
Tabbed as one of the nation’s hottest coordinator’s by Street & Smith’s Preseason Magazine in 2018, Gibson has developed defenses known for having an old-fashioned punch you in the mouth mentality unleashed through a highly aggressive modern scheme.
 
He has coached 24 all-conference players, five All-Americans and 21 players who have played professional football.
 
For the past two seasons, he had to replace eight starters each year. The 2017 defense ranked No. 16 nationally in most defensive three downs and out per game and No. 24 in best third-down defense. David Long Jr. was named All-American Second Team by ProFootballFocus and Kyzir White was named All-American Honorable Mention by SBNation and was drafted in the fourth round by the Los Angeles Chargers.
 
In 2016, Gibson was named the Big 12 Conference Defensive Coordinator of the Year by Athlon Sports. The defense finished the season ranked No. 24 nationally in fumbles recovered and turnovers gained and No. 35 in pass interceptions and scoring defense. In Big 12 games, WVU’s defense was No. 1 in scoring defense, total defense and opponent first downs, No. 2 in rushing defense and No. 3 in third down defense. Rasul Douglas, who was selected in the third round of the NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles, was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year by ESPN.com, unanimous All-Big 12 first team and All-American Second Team by eight organizations.
 
In 2015, WVU’s defense was ranked No. 2 nationally in interceptions, No. 5 in turnovers gained, No. 8 in most opponent three and outs, No. 11 in third down defense and No. 15 in turnover margin. The defense was No. 1 in the Big 12 in rushing defense, interceptions and opponent first-down defense and No. 2 in scoring defense, total defense and opponent third-down defense. 
 
Four players were selected in the NFL Draft, including Karl Joseph in the first round, Daryl Worley in the third round, Nick Kwiatkoski in the fourth round and KJ Dillon in the fifth round. Kwiatkoski was an All-American First team by ProFootballFocus, and Karl Joseph was a second team selection.
 
The 2014 defense finished the season ranked No. 9 nationally in third-down defense, No. 12 in fourth-down defense and No. 15 in most defensive three downs and out and No. 28 in defensive pass efficiency.
 
Gibson began his second stint in Morgantown in January 2013 and reaped rewards immediately on the recruiting trail, re-opening the pipeline between Pittsburgh and Morgantown. Three players from the Pittsburgh area signed with the Mountaineers in the 2014 signing class, including the top ranked player in the state of Pennsylvania. During 2013, he also coached two All-Big 12 Conference performers, Darwin Cook and Karl Joseph. Cook was one of the team’s permanent captains and was named the team’s defensive most valuable player.
 
Gibson served as the assistant head coach, safeties coach and defensive special teams’ coordinator at Arizona during the 2012 season. The Wildcats finished 8-5 and won the Gildan New Mexico Bowl. He spent the 2011 season as the secondary coach and pass defense coordinator at Pitt. The Panthers made their fourth straight bowl appearance, and two of Gibson’s pupils were named to Big East all-conference teams. He also was responsible for recruiting Rushel Shell to Pitt, the top running back in the nation.
 
Gibson served as assistant head coach and defensive backs coach at Michigan from 2008-10. He added special teams coordinator to his duties in 2010. During his time in Ann Arbor, the Wolverines earned a berth in the Gator Bowl in 2011 and one of his cornerbacks, Donovan Warren, earned first-team All-Big Ten honors. Gibson also was responsible for securing the services of Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year Denard Robinson, one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the nation.
 
He coached defensive backs under Rich Rodriguez from 2001-07 at West Virginia, and was recruiting coordinator his final season in Morgantown. The Mountaineers enjoyed one of their most successful periods on the gridiron, posting a 58-14 record in his final six years on staff and earning a then-school record six straight bowl appearances, including two BCS bowl games. 
 
Eight of his players earned All-Big East honors and six of his players were selected in the NFL Draft. His secondary standouts at WVU included first team All-American Adam Jones, who has played with the Titans, Cowboys and Bengals during his eight-year NFL career.
 
The Mountaineers won or shared four Big East titles during Gibson’s time in Morgantown, capturing BCS bowl victories following the 2005 (Sugar Bowl) and 2007 (Fiesta Bowl) seasons. He recruited 32 players on the 2005 team that won the Big East Championship and Sugar Bowl, and secured 40 players who were on the 2007 Big East and Fiesta Bowl championship squad.
 
Gibson began his career at Glenville State under Rodriguez in 1996, coaching defensive backs and the kickoff teams. 
 
In 1997 and ’98, Gibson worked at Cumberland (Tenn.) University, coordinating the program’s special teams and recruitment in addition to mentoring the team’s defensive backs. His career then carried him to West Virginia Tech, where he spent two seasons as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator (1999-2000), before arriving at West Virginia.
 
Gibson graduated from Glenville State in 1994. He was a defensive back from 1991-94 and was a part of two WVIAC championship teams.
 
The Van, West Virginia, native began his coaching career at Gilmer County High School in Glenville, West Virginia, in 1995, where he was head coach and interim athletic director.
 
He and his wife, Kerry, have two children, son Cody, who is a member of the Illinois football coaching staff and daughter, Ashton.