Gibson ready for Maumee football

4/25/2013
BLADE STAFF

New Maumee football coach Marc Gibson has found success through flexibility.

The former Clyde coach said he utilizes adjustments to his systems based on the strengths of individuals. Gibson was hired on Monday to take over the Panther program.

Gibson employed a number of offensive and defensive schemes at Clyde, where he spent the last eight seasons compiling a 70-22 record.

“I've always been a coach who has adjusted my scheme to fit my personnel,” Gibson said. “I will evaluate and if there is a strong point, I will accentuate that and put them in the right spots.”

He led Clyde to six Sandusky Bay Conference championships and four playoff appearances.

“In 2005, we had some 300-pound linemen and 200-plus pound running backs, so we ran the double tight end,” Gibson said. “We went to the state semifinals because we had the personnel to run it.”

Later, Gibson adjusted his offense around all-state quarterback Alex Gillett, who is now at Eastern Michigan. He has used a pro style with one back and a spread attack. He also has utilized a shotgun, zone-read system. The last two years he has gone with a traditional I formation to accentuate the strengths of running back Brad Smith, who set several school records at Clyde.

He also said defensively he is not set with one scheme.”

“We have to have our best 11 on the field,” he said. “If that means more defensive backs or linebackers, we will use that style of defense to get those athletes on the field.

“I believe in the merits of being flexible because I've had some success with it.”

Gibson has coached for 21 years, including 16 as a head coach. He has an overall record of 111-60. His teams have won seven conference championships and made six playoff appearances.

Prior to Clyde, Gibson was the head coach at Sidney (2001-2004) and Brookville (1997-2000).

Gibson replace John Boles, who finished with a record of 86-73 in 15 seasons and led the Panthers to six playoff appearances.

Maumee, which is the third smallest football school in the Northern Lakes League, went 6-4 last fall. Gibson said he is aware that only Bowling Green and Napoleon have smaller male enrollments.

“I really respect what coach Boles has done,” Gibson said. “Maumee is one of the smaller schools in a very competitive league, and they have been consistently good for that long. You know the kids are hard working and have talent.”