Neathan Gibson enters his second season as an assistant coach for the men’s soccer program after achieving great success as both a player and coach. He has eleven seasons’ coaching experience in the Premier Development League (PDL), including head coach for the West Michigan Fire Juniors Men’s and Women’s teams and five seasons as an Assistant for Des Moines Menace FC.
In his first year with Davenport, Gibson helped the 2014 version of the Panthers compile a school-record 22-3-1 and an NAIA national title. He has now been to five NAIA National Championship matches, one as a coach and four (having won it all in 1991) as a player with Lynn University. Gibson is also a three-time All-American and earned MVP honors at the Senior Bowl.
Gibson was the head coach for the women’s NCAA DII soccer program at Ferris State University for four years. He was also the head coach for the Michigan Olympic Development Program’s (ODP) U15 age group, twice winning Regional Championships.
At the youth club level, Gibson coached teams in Japan and Finland before arriving locally. He was Youth Technical Director for West Michigan Fire Juniors before heading back into the PDL game with the Menace. From the PDL squad Des Moines Menace, Gibson rejoined GR Crew Juniors in 2012.
Following his collegiate playing career, he played professionally in Malaysia, Japan, Sweden, and Finland. While in Finalnd he played in the first round of the UEFA Inter-Tota Cup before joining MLS' Colorado Rapids in 2001. He was also a member of the A-League Champion Rochester Raging Rhinos.
Gibson holds his United States Soccer Federation 'A' license and USSF Youth National license. He earned his degree in Business Administration from Lynn University.
