Claude GIbson
5/17/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Reprinted by permission of the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame
BY CARTER CHEVES
The late Earle Edwards spent 17 years guiding the NC State football program. “Coach Edwards was the most inspirational and influential man I ever met,” says Claude Gibson, a standout State player from 1957-60. “I’ve never known a finer gentleman and a more detailed coach.”
Gibson and Edwards first met during the summer of 1957. Fresh out of Lee Edwards High School in Asheville, Gibson had been an all-state gridiron player, but had made his mark as a track star, winning the 1957 high hurdles state championship.
After starring in the annual East-West All-Star Game, Gibson had hopes of impressing the coaching staff at UNC-CH. However, it was Edwards and NCSU track coach Paul Derr, who convinced him to wear red and white. Gibson was an instant star on the Wolfpack freshman team, as a defensive back, receiver, return man and halfback. When his time came to join the varsity, he was ready.
For the three seasons, Gibson rarely came out of a ballgame. He led the Pack in punt returns in 1958 and 1960, kickoff returns in ’59 and interceptions in 1960 with four. He provided crucial rushing and receiving yards whenever needed. He played his entire senior season with a broken hand and wrist.
Gibson concluded his senior year by playing in four post-season all-star games Senior Bowl, Copper Bowl, Coaches All-America Bowl and the Chicago All-Star Game.
Drafted in the third round of the NFL draft by Chicago, he decided to sign with the AFL’s San Diego Chargers. Gibson played two years at San Diego, leading the league in interceptions in 1962. His Charger teammates gave him the nickname “Hoot.”
“During my pro career I never saw my name in the paper as Claude,” says Gibson. “It was “Hoot” everywhere I went, and still is today.”
The Chargers lost to the Houston Oilers, 10-3, in the AFL Championship game in 1960. Edwards encouraged Gibson to return to NC State to finish his degree work, and help coach spring ball. He received an education degree from State in 1961.
Following the ’62 season, Gibson was traded to Oakland. In both 1963 and 1964, Gibson led the AFL in punt returns. He still owns the third best punt return average (12.1) of all professional football players with 75 or more returns.
Gibson's pro playing career lasted five years, when he abruptly retired at age 25. For the next two years he served as a scout and recruiter in the Raider’s organization.
In 1967 when Edwards had an opening on his staff, Gibson was the first person he called. He coached the “White Shoes” defensive backs of the 1967 Wolfpack that started the year 8-0 and rose to No. 3 in the polls.
Following the ’67 season, Gibson began a two year pro coaching career. At age 29 he coached the Boston Patriot DBs in 1968, becoming the youngest assistant coach in professional football.
In 1970, Gibson returned to college football as the offensive coordinator at Tulsa University. He was elevated to interim head coach, but after Gibson’s Tulsa squad started the season 4-1, which included a stunning upset of Memphis State, the interim label was removed.
Gibson spent three seasons at Tulsa, then came home as the head football coach at tiny Mars Hills College. He spent 10 seasons there, compiling a 55-37-2 record, winning one South Atlantic Conference championship, producing four Division II All-Americans and 25 All-SAC players.
Earle Edwards, characteristically conservative with praise, had some for one of his boys.
“Claude Gibson was one of the finest all-around players we ever had at NC State,” once said the gentleman coach.