JamesGibson

James Gibson, who helped Texas A&M advance to the 2025 College Football Playoff, is in his first season at Kentucky working with the defensive backs, specifically as the stars coach.

Gibson comes to Kentucky after two seasons at Texas A&M as a defensive analyst, working under new UK defensive coordinator Jay Bateman.  Gibson assisted with the Aggie nickelbacks in 2024 and the cornerbacks in 2025.

Gibson helped TAMU post an 11-1 regular-season record in 2025, the team’s most regular-season wins since 1992, as the Aggies made their run to the CFP. The A&M defense led the nation in third-down conversion defense, ranked eighth in fewest first downs allowed and 18^th in total defense

In 2024, Texas A&M posted an 8-5 record, including a trip to the Las Vegas Bowl.  The Aggies rated 35^th in the nation in scoring defense. Gibson helped coach BJ Mayes, who ranked second in the Southeastern Conference in interceptions per game and tied for 10^th in the league in passes defended per game.

Gibson first became acquainted with Bateman at the United States Military Academy (Army West Point).  Gibson played from 2015-18 while Bateman was the defensive coordinator.  He was a four-year letterman, playing safety and nickelback.  He was named All-Independent second team as a junior.

In his final three seasons at West Point, Army posted a 29-10 record, including three bowl wins – two in the Armed Forces Bowl (2017 and ’18) and also in the 2016 Heart of Dallas Bowl.

Following his graduation with a degree in American Politics, Gibson began his coaching career in 2019 at the USMA Prep School as the assistant defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach.  The team was undefeated, and he developed two DBs who went on to become full-time starters at the USMA.

Gibson served in the United States Army from 2019-24.  He began as a lieutenant, serving as platoon leader and operations officer before moving into a role as company executive officer. Earning commendations along the way, he was promoted to captain in 2023 and was an assistant battalion operations officer.

While in the Army, he was able to coach at Carver High School in Columbus, Ga., during the 2022 and 2023 seasons.  He was the assistant defensive coordinator, while also coaching the defensive backs (2022) and linebackers (2023).  Twelve of his players earned all-region honors and he helped Carver advance to the Class AAA state quarterfinals in 2022 and the state semifinals in 2023.

The Centreville, Va., native, was an all-state performer at Westfield High School and was named Virginia Defensive Player of the Year. He also played lacrosse and competed in track and field.

James Gibson’s Coaching Career