Bill Gibson (basketball)
Encyclopedia
William J. "Bill" Gibson (c. 1928 – July 23, 1975) was an American basketball
coach
who was the head men's basketball coach at the University of Virginia
and the University of South Florida
.
Gibson began his head coaching career at Mansfield University of Pennsylvania
in the 1956–57 season. In seven seasons, Mansfield posted a 102–37 win–loss record under Gibson. In April 1963, Virginia named him its men's basketball coach; at the time, the Cavaliers were struggling to compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference
(ACC). Virginia was 8–16 in Gibson's first season as coach and did not win 10 games in a season until 1968–69. The Cavaliers lost in the ACC Tournament
's first round (the tenth consecutive season Virginia had exited the tournament at that stage), and Gibson faced a "revolt" at the hands of his own players. They petitioned against Gibson, and met with Virginia's athletic director
, a group of faculty, and Gibson himself. The university retained Gibson following the meetings, and the players' complaints were not mentioned in Virginia's statement to the press, though the Associated Press
said they were related to "Gibson's tactics and handling of players."
After another 10-win season in 1969–70, the Cavaliers improved to 15–11 and 21–7 the next two seasons, and Gibson was selected as ACC Men's Basketball Coach of the Year
for the latter campaign. In March 1974, he accepted an offer to coach at South Florida. Four months later, he had a heart attack and was hospitalized. Gibson recovered and his South Florida team had a 15–10 record in 1974–75. On July 23, 1975, he died of what was reported as a likely second heart attack.
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
coach
Coach (basketball)
Basketball coaching is the act of directing and strategizing the behaviour of a basketball team or individual basketball player. Basketball coaching typically encompasses the improvement of individual and team offensive and defensive skills, as well as overall physical conditioning.Coaching is...
who was the head men's basketball coach at the University of Virginia
Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball
The Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball program represents the University of Virginia in the Atlantic Coast Conference in the NCAA's Division I. The team is coached by Tony Bennett.-Statistics:-Retired numbers:-Retired jerseys:...
and the University of South Florida
South Florida Bulls
The South Florida Bulls are the athletic teams for the University of South Florida. The university competes in NCAA Division I, USF is a member of the Big East Conference, and has been since 2005...
.
Gibson began his head coaching career at Mansfield University of Pennsylvania
Mansfield University of Pennsylvania
Mansfield University of Pennsylvania is one of the fourteen state universities that are part of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. The University is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher...
in the 1956–57 season. In seven seasons, Mansfield posted a 102–37 win–loss record under Gibson. In April 1963, Virginia named him its men's basketball coach; at the time, the Cavaliers were struggling to compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
(ACC). Virginia was 8–16 in Gibson's first season as coach and did not win 10 games in a season until 1968–69. The Cavaliers lost in the ACC Tournament
1969 ACC Men's Basketball Tournament
The 1969 Atlantic Coast Conference Men's Basketball Tournament was held in Charlotte, North Carolina at the Charlotte Coliseum from March 6-8, 1969. North Carolina defeated Duke 85-74 to win the championship. Charlie Scott of North Carolina was named tournament MVP.-Bracket:-External links:*...
's first round (the tenth consecutive season Virginia had exited the tournament at that stage), and Gibson faced a "revolt" at the hands of his own players. They petitioned against Gibson, and met with Virginia's athletic director
Athletic director
An athletic director is an administrator at many American colleges and universities, as well as in larger high schools and middle schools, who oversees the work of coaches and related staff involved in intercollegiate or interscholastic athletic programs...
, a group of faculty, and Gibson himself. The university retained Gibson following the meetings, and the players' complaints were not mentioned in Virginia's statement to the press, though the Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
said they were related to "Gibson's tactics and handling of players."
After another 10-win season in 1969–70, the Cavaliers improved to 15–11 and 21–7 the next two seasons, and Gibson was selected as ACC Men's Basketball Coach of the Year
Atlantic Coast Conference Men's Basketball Coach of the Year
The Atlantic Coast Conference Men's Basketball Coach of the Year is a basketball award given to head coaches in the Atlantic Coast Conference . The award is granted to the head coach voted to be the most successful that season by members of the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association...
for the latter campaign. In March 1974, he accepted an offer to coach at South Florida. Four months later, he had a heart attack and was hospitalized. Gibson recovered and his South Florida team had a 15–10 record in 1974–75. On July 23, 1975, he died of what was reported as a likely second heart attack.