Head Coach Zane Gibson begins his third season with the Mustangs.
During his second year as Western New Mexico’s leader, Gibson led the Mustangs to their best start in the “modern era” starting out the year 5-0. The Mustangs would go on to win double digit games for the first time in 10 seasons and for the first time ever while Western New Mexico has been in the Lone Star Conference. Tony Avalos and Jordan Doss were both selected to the LSC All-Conference team.
Gibson arrived in Silver City during the shortened 2020-21 COVID shorten season. The Mustangs played 11 games, all on the road versus eight nationally ranked teams.
Gibson comes to Silver City after serving as the Associate Head Coach for fellow Lone Star Conference member UT Permian Basin. During his two seasons with the Falcons, UTPB made both conference tournaments, surpassing double-digit wins, along with Jacob Ledoux being named All-Conference and Newcomer of the Year for the 2018-19 season and Pat Dembley being named All-Conference for the 2019-20 campaign.
Gibson, a native of Chattanooga, Tenn., had a very successful tenure as an Assistant Basketball Coach to Josh Newman at the University of Arkansas Fort Smith. In his first season on staff (2016-17), Gibson helped the Lions to a 23-11 record capturing the Heartland Conference Regular Season Championship as well as winning the Heartland Conference Tournament Championship and making an appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
Following the 2016-17 season, Gibson was named to the NABC’s 30-under-30 list recognizing a group of up and coming coaches under the age of 30.
During Gibson’s second season (2017-18) with the Lions, he again helped them win the Heartland Conference Regular Season Championship while breaking the school record in wins with a record of 24-6. The Lions also made another trip to the NCAA Tournament.
Previously to his stint with the Lions, Gibson was a graduate assistant for two seasons (2014-16) at NCAA Division I Middle Tennessee State, where he also played basketball for the from 2009-2014.
As a graduate assistant, Gibson would help with all the day-to-day aspects of the program including practices, travel, and recruiting mail outs. Gibson also served as the video coordinator for the Blue Raiders handling all game and practice edits for the Middle Tennessee as well as film exchange.
During the 2015-16 season Gibson was a part of Middle Tennessee’s Conference USA Tournament Champion that advanced to the NCAA Round of 32 beating 2 seed Michigan State in the first round.
As a player Gibson was a member of four conference championship teams (2009-10, 2011-12, 2012-13, and 2013-14). Gibson’s 2012-13 team set the school record in wins going 27-7 winning the Sun Belt Regular Season Championship and advancing to the Quarter-finals of the NIT Tournament beating instate rival Tennessee along the way.
The following season 2013-14 his team again broke the school record in wins going 28-6 again winning the Sun Belt Regular Season Championship and received an at large bid to the NCAA Tournament where they face Matthew Dellavedova’s, St. Mary’s team.
Gibson’s senior class left Middle Tennessee as the most all-time wins in the schools 100 year history. Winning 95 total games in a 4 year stretch.
During Gibson’s 13 years in college basketball, he has been a part of six 20 or more win seasons, has won six regular season championships and two tournament championships. Has participated in the post season seven of the 13 years; four NCAA Tournaments, one NIT and two CIT’s. Gibson has had success against the Power 5 schools beating UCLA, Tennessee, Michigan State, Ole Miss (twice), Auburn, and Vanderbilt.
Gibson’s overall record during his 13 years in college basketball is 247-151. He has coached or played with 31 All-Conference Selections and 41 Professional Basketball Players.
Gibson graduated from Middle Tennessee with his bachelor’s degree in History with a Political Science minor in 2014 and completed his masters in Sports Management in 2016, also from Middle Tennessee State University.
He is married to his wife, Teal, and they have a son named Hutch.
Instagram:@_ZaneGibson
