(WACO, Texas) – Carnegie Mellon University defensive coordinator Ben Gibboney has been named the NCAA Division III American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Assistant Coach of the Year for 2023, the first time a Carnegie Mellon football coach has received the honor.
The Assistant Coach of the Year award is designed to honor assistant coaches that excel in community service, commitment to the student-athlete, on-field coaching success and AFCA professional organization involvement. The AFCA first handed out the award in 1997 and presents it annually to one assistant coach in each NCAA Division as well as the NAIA who are nominated by their program and are selected from a pool of nominees.
"Once again, five outstanding assistant coaches have been selected for their dedication, not only to their teams, but to their communities," said AFCA Executive Director Todd Berry. "Oftentimes, the head coach receives much of the credit for his team's success, but any head coach is only as good as his assistants. Much of an assistant coach's work is done behind the scenes. It is our pleasure to bring it to the forefront."
Gibboney directed a Tartans defense in 2023 that for the third consecutive season led the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) in scoring defense, allowing 10.2 points per game, rushing defense giving up 73.1 yards per contest, total defense allowing 245.0 yards per game, turnovers gained with 29, fumbles recovered with 13, passes intercepted with 16, turnover margin at 1.55 and tackles for loss with 8.7 per contest. The Cardinal and Gray ranked fourth nationally in fumbles recovered, sixth in turnovers gained, seventh in scoring defense, eighth in turnover margin, ninth in team tackles for loss, 13th in total defense and 16th in rushing defense. The defense held nine opponents under 100 yards on the ground and broke a school record when holding Westminster to -16 yards rushing earlier this season.
In his fourth year as Carnegie Mellon's defensive coordinator and ninth year on staff, Gibboney has made a huge impact off the field just as much as on it. He spearheaded a Be The Match / Get In The Game Bone Marrow Foundation drive, in which 119 donors registered. Gibboney is active in helping run the Western Spring Sectional competition of the Special Olympics of Pennsylvania on Carnegie Mellon's campus, as well as participating in team volunteering activities with Pittsburgh Action Against Rape (PAAR).
"I couldn't be prouder of Ben receiving this much deserved award," said Carnegie Mellon head football coach Ryan Larsen. "From the moment I met him during the interview process here at Carnegie Mellon, I knew he was a special coach and that has not only been reaffirmed by the production of our defense; but more importantly how he impacts our student-athletes on a day-to-day basis. His leadership, knowledge of the game, and attention to detail is second to none, and we are proud to have him be a part of the Tartan football family."
Winners of the Assistant Coach of the Year Award will receive a plaque to commemorate their recognition. They will be honored at the AFCA Honors Luncheon, held Monday, January 8, during the 2024 AFCA Convention in Nashville, Tennessee.