Sikeston's Gibbs inducted into Hall of Fame

Saturday, December 1, 2012 ~ Updated 8:54 AM
Sikeston head football coach Kent Gibbs speaks at the Missouri Football Coaches Hall of Fame banquet on Friday night in Tan-Tar-A. (Photo by Chris Pobst, Staff)

sports@standard-democrat.com

OSAGE BEACH -- Sikeston head coach Kent Gibbs achieved what few have and probably will throughout a coaching career.

After 23 years of coaching football, Gibb's name was enshrined in the Missouri Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame Friday at Tan-Tar--A Resort in Osage Beach.

"It's humbling," Gibbs said. "I'm not sure I belong with some of the names in the Hall of Fame, but I certainly welcome it and it's a great honor."

The Hall of Fame coach was introduced with a video tribute highlighting his career. He then spoke for around five minutes thanking his family, coaching staff, past players and influences on his coaching career, some who were in attendance.

"It's good to have friends, family and people that you've coached with here in the same spot," Gibbs said. "You're able to look back and reminisce and talk about things that have gone on for the past 30 years."

Gibbs has accumulated a career record of 119-112 with four different high schools.

His career began in 1980 with Hayti where he took the Indians to a surprise state final appearance in 1984. His last year in Hayti was 1986.

He then coached at East Prairie from 1988-89 and then Fredericktown where he has spent the majority of his career.

With the Blackcats, Gibbs's tenure began in 1994 and ended in 2007 where he collected many statewide, district and conference honors.

He then moved on to Sikeston where he currently resides as head coach.

Gibbs turned the Bulldogs program around into one of the most dominant programs in the area.

In his first year, Sikeston finished with a record of 2-8. In 2008, they improved to 5-5.

What happened next was two of the most impressive in school history.

Gibbs took the Bulldogs to two state semifinal appearances in 2009 and 2010, including back to back undefeated regular seasons within those same years.

Throughout his career, Gibb's has been known to take struggling programs and turn them into winners.

"When I had the opportunity to read the names of all the guys that have coached with me, as I'm reading them I'm seeing their faces and the times that we've spent together. It's great to be able to think about all those guys that have helped me and all those players that have come through the last 23 years."

Gibbs attended Jackson High School, graduating in 1975. He graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in 1980 completing degrees in MS Education in 1987 and Specialist Education in 1996.

"I've been around a lot of good people, I've had a lot of good players and coaches," Gibbs said. "It made me think about how fast it's all went and hopefully how much further we have to go."

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