Coach Profile

Gary Gibbs joined the Cowboys coaching staff in 2002 as linebackers coach and brought to Dallas 22 years of coaching experience - including six as a head coach at the University of Oklahoma.

In his first year with the Cowboys, Gibbs unit was one of the club's strongest and most dependable. Dexter Coakley led the team with 173 tackles, the second best single-season total in club history, while Kevin Hardy finished third on the team with 114 stops. Hardy was the only player to appear in the top five of four other defensive statistical categories: first on the team in tackles for a loss (eight), second in passes defensed (10), third in sacks (2.0) and fourth in quarterback pressures (18). Dat Nguyen, despite missing eight games following surgery to repair a fractured wrist, finished fifth on the team with 81 tackles, an average of 10.0 stops-per-game.

Gibbs came to Dallas after consecutive one-year assignments as the defensive coordinator at Louisiana State University (2001) and the University of Georgia (2000). The LSU Tigers compiled a 10-3 record, winning the Southeastern Conference title and the Nokia Sugar Bowl. Gibbs' defensive unit finished the year ranked 21st nationally in rushing yards allowed and also led the SEC in interceptions with 18, picking off at least two passes in six of 12 games. While at Georgia, his defense ranked 19th in the nation in total defense and 12th in scoring defense, allowing just 18 points-per-game.

Gibbs had a 23-year career at the University of Oklahoma as a player, assistant and head coach. During that time, the Sooners played in 16 bowl games and won three national titles.

During his six seasons as the head coach at Oklahoma (1989-94), Gibbs guided the Sooners to three bowl games and an overall record of 44-23-2. In his first three seasons after taking over the program from Barry Switzer, Gibbs continued the school's pattern of success, improving Oklahoma's record each season, from 7-4 as a rookie head coach, to 8-3 in the second year. A 9-3 season in 1991, his third year at the helm, included a 48-14 win over Virginia in the 1991 Gator Bowl. After slipping to 5-4-2 in 1992, Gibbs guided the Sooners to another 9-3 season in 1993, including a 41-10 win over Texas Tech in the John Hancock Bowl.

Gibbs began his coaching career as a graduate assistant under Switzer at Oklahoma in 1975. In 1978, he was promoted to the position of linebackers coach. In 1981, Gibbs was named the Sooners defensive coordinator, and he held that post until taking over as head coach in 1989. During his tenure as Oklahoma's defensive coordinator, the Sooners captured the 1985 national title, and their defense led the nation in total defense three straight years (1985-87) and twice finished first in rushing defense (1986 and 1987). Among the players who prospered under Gibbs's tutelage were Lombardi Award winner Tony Casillas, two-time Butkus Award winner Brian Bosworth and co-Thorpe Award winner Rickey Dixon.

Gibbs was a linebacker at Oklahoma from 1972 to 1974, a span that saw the Sooners post a 29-4-1 overall mark and finish No. 1 in the nation in 1974 - with Gibbs recording 114 tackles as a starter. Oklahoma was ranked second in the nation in 1972 and they finished third nationally in 1973. Before joining the coaching staff at Oklahoma, Gibbs went to training camp with the New England Patriots as a free agent in 1975.

He earned his undergraduate degree in marketing from Oklahoma in 1974 and his master's degree in business from his alma mater in 1976.

A native of Beaumont, Texas, Gibbs lettered in both football (linebacker) and baseball (shortstop) at Spring Branch, Texas, High School. He and his wife, Jeanne, have two daughters, Whitley (6/23/81) and Jordan (5/1/84)