Marty Gibbons (Lake Catholic athletics)
MENTOR, Ohio — Lake Catholic needed a new football coach, and it quickly turned to a family it knows well.
Marty Gibbons was introduced Wednesday at the school to players and alumni. His father, John Gibbons, led the school to state championships in 1991 and '92. His brothers, Tom and Mike Gibbons, have coached numerous schools around Northeast Ohio.
Now, so is Marty.
The 2011 Lake Catholic graduate also knows what it's like to experience major success. He played on two state semifinal teams at the school in 2010 and '09. The school has not been to the playoffs since 2011, something outgoing coach Scott O'Donnell said he could sense was near after rallying past Padua for a Week 10 victory to close this season.
Lake Catholic finished 7-3, just missed the OHSAA Division III playoffs and O'Donnell later resigned.
Gibbons watched that last game from the stands. A defensive coordinator and physical education teacher last year at Villa Angela-St. Joseph, he became Lake Catholic's director of admissions in June.
"Seeing that fire in them, it's easy to make a decision like this to lead this program," said Gibbons, 26. "We're going to build on that momentum."
Marty Gibbons is the youngest of nine children for John and Patty Gibbons, who watched their son's introduction Wednesday at the school with Tom Gibbons.
"I guess it didn't really hit me until I got in front of everybody," Marty Gibbons said. "To see these people, it means a lot to me. But once you get in front of the kids, that's what's most exciting. That's what it's about at the end of the day. It's all about them."
The school is graduating a strong senior class that includes All-Northeast Lakes District Defensive Player of the Year Nate Rieple, who doubled as the leading rusher at Lake Catholic. Gibbons said he likes the pieces in place, including what he described as a "dominant" junior varsity team and promising freshman group.
"It's all about right now," Gibbons said of his message to the players. "Ultimately, I want them to know we're not waiting for anything. We're not rebuilding. It's all about now."
He will have help, too. Brother Tom Gibbons, the former Euclid coach, is joining him on staff. Mark Baniewicz, a 2013 Lake Catholic graduate and last season's offensive coordinator, also is returning to his post.
Marty Gibbons said he has not filled out his staff, but his experience comes from playing in the defensive backfield and as a receiver. Before his stint at VASJ, he assisted with defensive backs at Notre Dame College and also helped his brother, Mike Gibbons, at Highland.
If those experiences are not enough, he can call on tips from brother in-law Tom Lombardo, whose St. Edward football team plays Friday in the Division I state semifinals.
"He's an incredible influence on me," Marty Gibbons said of Lombardo.
So is his father, who entered the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2015.
Of course, the youngest Gibbons has his own experiences. He remembered Wednesday his two state semifinal teams as a player. Both times, their season ended against Maple Heights and then-Plain Dealer Player of the Year Shaq Washington.
This year, Washington returned to guide Maple Heights through an undefeated regular season and Division II regional final appearance.
Gibbons and Lake Catholic hope that homecoming success continues for them.
Contact sports reporter Matt Goul on Twitter (@mgoul) or email ([email protected]). Or log in and leave a message below in the comments section.
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