NC State needs a new defensive coordinator. Here’s where Tony Gibson is headed next
N.C. State football is on the hunt for a new leader on the defensive side of the ball.
Marshall hired Wolfpack defensive coordinator Tony Gibson this week to become its next head coach. The university officially announced the hire Sunday afternoon.
Football Scoop first reported the move Saturday night, and several N.C. State defensive players, including cornerback Brandon Cisse and linebacker Devon Betty, shared posts on social media in support. A source confirmed Gibson’s departure Sunday morning.
The Thundering Herd won the Sun Belt Championship on Saturday, 31-3, over Louisiana.
This is Gibson’s first head coaching job.
“Thank you, Wolfpack Nation. I want to thank all of the players I have had the honor to coach over the last six years at N.C. State,” Gibson wrote in a statement posted on social media Sunday afternoon. “Thank you to (athletic director) Boo Corrigan and (head coach) Dave Doeren and the great staff I got to work with everyday that made Raleigh so special for me and my family.”
Gibson went on to thank the fans for their support and creating an exciting environment at Carter-Finley Stadium.
“Being a head coach has always been my goal and I am excited to announce that I’m going back to my home state as the head coach at Marshall University,” Gibson continued. “My family and I are excited to start this journey, but we all thank you for your support and the wonderful memories.”
Gibson was hired to replace Charles Huff, whose contract ended this season. Huff was announced as Southern Miss’ new head coach Sunday.
Marshall University’s Board of Governors directed the university to execute a contract during its meeting Wednesday, reported the Herald Dispatch in Huntington, West Virginia.
This comes almost a week after Gibson withdrew his name from contention for the Charlotte 49ers’ head coaching job on Tuesday. Gibson had been a finalist for the position on Dec. 2.
Doeren hired Gibson, a West Virginia native, in 2019 as co-defensive coordinator alongside Dave Huxtable. Huxtable was fired in 2020 and Gibson became the sole defensive coordinator.
Under Gibson, the Wolfpack finished in the FBS top 25 for scoring defense in 2021, 2022 and 2023. He was a finalist for the 2021 Broyles Award, given to the nation’s top assistant.
“I’m super, super excited for Tony. He’s earned it, deserves it,” Doeren said on Sunday night. “He’s been a great staff member, friend. Throughout his time in college football, he’s made his mark, and (being a head coach) has always been one of his goal. For me, it’s a proud moment.”
Gibson coached linebackers from 2020-24 and played a key role in the development of Drake Thomas and Payton Wilson. Wilson earned the Butkus Award for the nation’s top linebacker and Bednarik Award for top defender in 2023. He was inducted into the Wolfpack Ring of Honor in November.
Wilson plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Thomas plays for the Seattle Seahawks.
“Coach Gibson is everything to me, changed my life, saved my life, all of that,” Wilson said after his Ring of Honor ceremony. “I can’t thank him enough for what he’s done for me. Everything that I did here was for him, Coach Doeren and all those guys. All the effort that they put into me, I try to give the same back.”
It’s unclear whom the Wolfpack might target to replace Gibson.
It has a wealth of experience on the staff if it opts to promote from within. Charley Wiles (defensive line), Freddie Aughtry-Lindsay (nickelbacks), Joe DeForest (safeties) and Brian Mitchell (cornerbacks) have a combined 115 years in coaching.
South Carolina’s Clayton White has experience at N.C. State, coaching under Doeren as the co-special teams coordinator and safeties coach from 2013-16.
Gibson runs the 3-3-5 scheme, which proved effective for the majority of his tenure with the Pack. N.C. State will need to decide whether it will pursue someone with experience coaching the 3-3-5. If it doesn’t, it may need to pursue additional defensive linemen in the portal or through its recruiting efforts.
Gibson, who signed a three-year contract with N.C. State last December, was a candidate for the Duke head coaching job in 2023 after Mike Elko left for Texas A&M. Duke ultimately hired Manny Diaz.
This story was originally published December 8, 2024 at 10:43 AM.
