Tony Gibson Has Crafted NC State’s Defense into a Top-25 Squad Year-After-Year

When Tony Gibson arrived in Raleigh in 2019, he was a Co-Defensive Coordinator alongside Defensive Coordinator Dave Huxtable. He also coached the Safeties.

In December of 2019, following the conclusion of the season, Huxtable was fired, and Gibson was promoted to Defensive Coordinator and Linebacker’s Coach.

In 2019, NC State ranked 74th in Total Defense (400.3 yards per game), 103rd in Pass Defense (255.5), 51st in Run Defense (144.8) and 82nd in Scoring Defense (30.1).

For even more perspective, in 2018 the Wolfpack ranked 66th in Total Defense (392.6), and in 2017 they ranked 58th (384.2).

Once Gibson took over in 2020, he began the journey of turning the Wolfpack into one of the best defenses in college football.

In Gibson’s 1st season as Defensive Coordinator, the Wolfpack didn’t improve all that much, ranking 72nd in Total Defense (415.7), 76th in Pass Defense (241.1), 76th in Run Defense (174.6), and 63rd in Scoring Defense (29.2).

It was in Year 2 that Gibson’s impact was evident. NC State ranked 19th in Total Defense (331.7), 31st in Pass Defense (207.6), 22nd in Run Defense (124.1) and 14th in Scoring Defense (19.7).

Last year, the Wolfpack ranked 19th in Total Defense (326.9), 71st in Pass Defense (226.2), 11th in Run Defense (100.7) and 11th in Scoring Defense (19.2)

This season, NC State ranks 22nd in Total Defense (318), 49th in Pass Defense (215.5), 17th in Run Defense (102.5) and 30th in Scoring Defense (20.2).

After a bumpy start in Year 1, Gibson’s defense has ranked in the Top-25 in Total Defense and Run Defense in three consecutive seasons. They’ve ranked in the Top-25 in Scoring Defense in 2 of the last 3 seasons.

After last season, NC State gave Gibson a new three-year contract worth $1.3 million annually, making him the highest paid Defensive Coordinator in the ACC, and the 2nd highest paid Assistant Coach.

Every year, when Head Coaching jobs open up, Gibson’s name gets thrown around, and deservedly so. Gibson is essential to the success and consistency that is being built at NC State. He completely fits the type of culture that Dave Doeren is trying to build.

The Wolfpack can’t afford to lose Tony Gibson.

Sure, he was given a raise last year.

I say do it again.

Pay the man.