Illinois Football Adds Defensive Backs Coach to Staff

Illinois Football Adds Defensive Backs Coach to Staff

The hunt to fill the defensive backs coach vacancy is over for Illinois football. Thus, former UCF co-defensive coordinator David Gibbs has been announced as the man for the position as of Tuesday. According to a news release by Illinois Athletics, Gibbs stated excitement to be a part of Bielema’s coaching tree. “I’m excited to get to Champaign and join Coach Bielema and the Illinois football famILLy,” said Gibbs. “I have watched Coach Bielema’s teams for a long time, and I have always been impressed with how they play the game. I am grateful for the opportunity and look forward to getting to work with the great staff and student-athletes within our Fighting Illini program.”

The Road to Champaign

The 55-year-old native of Auburn Alabama has quite the arsenal of coaching experience. Formerly, Gibbs spent the past 3 seasons as co-defensive coordinator for Gus Malzahn at the University of Central Florida. The Knights finished in the top 40 for passing efficiency under Gibbs for all 3 years under his leadership. Certainly an important accolade to Bret Bielema, who wanted to see more from his passing defense in 2023. Illinois lost a lot of very good talent to the NFL, however, the Illini secondary looked lost in coverage for most of the 2023 season, and Bielema felt a change needed to happen.

Before his time at UCF, David served a chunk of his career coaching the best of the best in the NFL. Gibbs spent 2001-2004 with the Denver Broncos as defensive backs coach. He served in the same position for Kansas City from 2006-2008, and the Texans from 2009-2010. Gibbs spent 2015-2018 at Texas Tech, and then 2019-2020 at Mizzou. David served a chunk of his career coaching the best of the best in the NFL. Gibbs spent 2001-2004 with the Denver Broncos as defensive backs coach. He served in the same position for Kansas City from 2006-2008, and the Texans from 2009-2010.

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