North Carolina State University Athletics
Remembering Claude "Hoot" Gibson
1/27/2026 3:14:00 PM | Football
Claude "Hoot" Gibson, who starred for the Wolfpack from 1958-60, passed away on Jan. 17 at the age of 87.
Â
Gibson played for Coach Earle Edwards, leading the team in punt returns in 1958, kickoff returns in 1959 and interceptions in 1960. He competed in four post-season all-star games – more than any player in school history except for teammate Roman Gabriel.
Â
Selected in the third round of the 1961 NFL draft by the Chicago Bears, Gibson elected to play in the AFL, where he competed for the San Diego Chargers (1961-62) and the Oakland Raiders (1963-65). He led the AFL in punt returns in 1963 and 1964 and would go on to return 110 punts for 1,381 yards during his professional career for a 12.1 average. He scored three punt return touchdowns and had a long return of 85 yards.
Â
Gibson came back to NC State as an assistant coach in 1967, where he coached the defensive backs for the Wolfpack's famed "White Shoes" defense. The following year, he became the youngest assistant coach in professional football, leading the DBs for the Boston Patriots. He spent the 1969 season on the Buffalo Bills staff.
Â
He continued his coaching career in the collegiate ranks, serving as offensive coordinator and then head coach at University of Tulsa, then as head coach at Mars Hill. He compiled a 55–37–2 record in 10 years at Mars Hill, winning one South Atlantic Conference championship, producing four Division II All-Americans and 25 All-SAC players.
Â
He was inducted into the NC Sports Hall of Fame in 2007. He is also a member of AFL Hall of Fame, the Western NC Sports Hall of Fame, and the Mars Hill University Hall of Fame.
Â
 A Celebration of Gibson's Life will be held at 3 p.m., Saturday, January 31, 2026, in the Adams Funeral Home Chapel in Taylorsville, N.C.
Â
Â
Gibson played for Coach Earle Edwards, leading the team in punt returns in 1958, kickoff returns in 1959 and interceptions in 1960. He competed in four post-season all-star games – more than any player in school history except for teammate Roman Gabriel.
Â
Selected in the third round of the 1961 NFL draft by the Chicago Bears, Gibson elected to play in the AFL, where he competed for the San Diego Chargers (1961-62) and the Oakland Raiders (1963-65). He led the AFL in punt returns in 1963 and 1964 and would go on to return 110 punts for 1,381 yards during his professional career for a 12.1 average. He scored three punt return touchdowns and had a long return of 85 yards.
Â
Gibson came back to NC State as an assistant coach in 1967, where he coached the defensive backs for the Wolfpack's famed "White Shoes" defense. The following year, he became the youngest assistant coach in professional football, leading the DBs for the Boston Patriots. He spent the 1969 season on the Buffalo Bills staff.
Â
He continued his coaching career in the collegiate ranks, serving as offensive coordinator and then head coach at University of Tulsa, then as head coach at Mars Hill. He compiled a 55–37–2 record in 10 years at Mars Hill, winning one South Atlantic Conference championship, producing four Division II All-Americans and 25 All-SAC players.
Â
He was inducted into the NC Sports Hall of Fame in 2007. He is also a member of AFL Hall of Fame, the Western NC Sports Hall of Fame, and the Mars Hill University Hall of Fame.
Â
 A Celebration of Gibson's Life will be held at 3 p.m., Saturday, January 31, 2026, in the Adams Funeral Home Chapel in Taylorsville, N.C.
Â
Coach Doeren Signing Day Presser (Dec. 3rd)
Wednesday, December 03
FB Players Postgame Presser vs UNC
Sunday, November 30
Coach Doeren Postgame Presser vs UNC
Sunday, November 30
Coach Doeren Weekly Press Conference (Nov. 24)
Monday, November 24