Tony Gibson Named As Marshall’s 32nd Head Football Coach
W.Va. native returns home to lead a storied franchise
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall Director of Athletics Christian Spears announced that Tony Gibson has agreed to become the 32nd head coach in the history of Marshall Football.
Gibson will be introduced at a press conference at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12, in Encova Auditorium at the Brad D. Smith Center for Business and Innovation.
"Finding the right person to lead the Thundering Herd Football program is one of the most important decisions we will make in Marshall Athletics," Spears said. "We recognize the significance of the moment. We want to thank our President Brad D. Smith for his leadership, his principle-based approach and thought partnership as we made this decision.
"In addition, we are grateful for Mike Valentine - our Senior Associate Athletic Director and Sport Administrator for Football for his role in ensuring we made a great decision. Finally, I want to commend our Board of Governors for their collaboration and support, as well.
"The 32nd Head Coach in the history of our program is coming home! He is a proud Boone County native with an enormous wealth of coaching experience that will continue to elevate and honor the tradition of success of Marshall Football. We are thrilled to announce Tony Gibson and to formally introduce him and his family on Dec. 12 at 4:30 p.m. 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."
Marshall University President Brad D. Smith said that the university is bringing home a proud West Virginian who has seen national success.
"We could not be happier to welcome Tony Gibson home as our 32nd head coach at Marshall University," Smith said. "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.
"Coach Gibson has prepared his entire life for this moment, a moment where his talent, experience and love for the state will combine with the storied tradition of Marshall Football to take us to the next level. Go Herd!"
Gibson comes to Marshall after serving as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at N.C. State where he has spent the last six seasons.
A three-decade coaching veteran, Gibson also has been an assistant and coordinator at West Virginia (2001-2007 & 2013-18), Arizona (2012), Pitt (2011) and Michigan (2008-10).
Gibson has been to 16 bowl games in his career and has coached five All-Americans, 22 players who have gone on to professional careers and 27 all-conference performers.
In 2021, Gibson was nominated for the Broyles Award, which is given to the nation's top assistant coach.
Gibson played defensive back in college at Glenville State where he was a member of two WVIAC championship teams.
The native of Van, W.Va., brings his family to Huntington: his wife, Kerry, and children Cody and Ashton.