Deonte Gibson - Football Coach - University of Akron Athletics

Deonte Gibson

Title:
Assistant Coach | Outside Linebackers | Defensive Ends
Email:
fbrecruit@uakron.edu
Phone:
(330) 972-7466

Deonte Gibson is in his second season at the University of Akron in 2021 as the outside linebackers and defensive ends coach.

Gibson served as the defensive line coach at Eastern Illinois in 2019. He coached second-team All-OVC nose tackle Terrell Greer. A part of defensive staff that coached EIU to the sixth-most tackles for loss in school history (86), his defensive unit ranked No. 30 in FCS in total defense and No. 29 in FCS in team tackles for loss.

A 2015 graduate of Northwestern University, he worked as the defensive graduate assistant at his alma mater in 2017 and 2018, helping the Wildcats to the Big Ten West Division title and two bowl appearances.

A four-year letterwinner for Northwestern (2011-16), Gibson was a third-team All-Big Ten selection and a three-time Academic All-Big Ten pick. He served as a team captain as a senior and finished ranked seventh on NU’s all-time sacks list. As a player, Gibson participated in two bowl games– the Gator Bowl and the Outback Bowl.

A native of Cleveland Ohio, he earned a bachelor’s degree in communication studies in 2015 and a master’s degree in integrated marketing communications in 2017, both from Northwestern. Gibson attended St. Edward’s High School where he served as team captain of the first state championship football team in school history.

Following graduation, Gibson played professional football with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Detroit Lions in 2016.

“Deonte, as a Cleveland native and former state-champion football player at St. Edward HS, has a great appreciation for the opportunity to be a part of building a successful football program at the University of Akron,” Arth said. “He truly understands the recruiting landscape in our region and will be able to build strong relationships with high school coaches and players in the area. Deonte has also proven himself to be an outstanding coach with an extremely bright future. Deonte started his coaching career at his alma-mater, Northwestern, and was able to learn from one of the most well-respected head coaches in America in Pat Fitzgerald. Deonte’s experience coaching the defensive line will be a great fit to our staff and will translate very well to coaching our outside linebackers at a very high level. It is very exciting to welcome, Deonte and, his soon-to-be-wife (Deonte is getting married on March 17), Dominique to the University of Akron.”

“I am incredibly excited to become a part of the Akron football family, while being so close to home at the same time,” Gibson said. “I am looking forward to developing authentic relationships with the team and staff and continuing to help the program move in the right direction.”

From Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern Head Coach
“Deonté is a great teacher and coach but more importantly a great person! Deonté is a relentless recruiter who will bring the best and brightest student-athletes to the University of Akron. I’ve watched Deonté grow since he was in high school, and I’m so impressed with the man he has become!”

9-13-21