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menuShark Name Jason Gibson Head Coach
2021 NAL Coach of the Year Takes Over Sharks
JACKSONVILLE, FL - The Jacksonville Sharks are excited to announce today that former Columbus Lions head coach Jason Gibson will be the Sharks next head coach going into the NAL’s 2023 season. Gibson spent 16 seasons with the Lions, amassing a 131-73 record as the team’s head coach and general manager. Gibson won three league championships between the Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL), Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL), and American Indoor Football League (AIF). Gibson and the Lions joined the National Arena League in 2017 as a founding member. During his time in the NAL, Gibson became the longest active NAL head coach serving as the head coach of the Lions in every NAL season (2017-2022). The Lions became the only team in NAL history to make it to the playoffs in every single season of play while also playing in three championship games in five seasons.
Coach Gibson coached against the Sharks in the NAL’s inaugural Championship game in 2017 where the thrilling game was decided on the very last play where the Sharks came out on top 27-21. In 2021, Coach Gibson and Lions finished 6-2 in the regular season and advanced with a playoff victory to their third NAL Championship appearance in four seasons. Gibson was named the 2021 NAL Coach of the Year.
Last season, the Lions finished third in the NAL with a 7-5 regular season record and finished strong winning their last three regular season games including a 71-14 victory over the Orlando Predators in Columbus for their final home game. Gibson not only brings the experience as a coach but also as a player has he played college football at Fairmont State University in West Virginia and had a long professional career playing in multiple league’s including the CFL, GFL Europe, and AF2. The Sharks are excited to welcome Coach Gibson, his wife Sarah, and their kids Gunnar, Jett, and Steele to the Shark Family and Jacksonville community.
About the Jacksonville Sharks
The Jacksonville Sharks are members of the National Arena League (NAL). The 2019 & 2017 NAL Champions and ArenaBowl XXIV Champions play all their home games at the Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena. Sharks Nation Memberships for the 2022 season are now available. To become a Shark Nation member or for more information please call (904) 621-0700. Follow the Sharks on Facebook at facebook.com/jaxsharks and on Twitter and Instagram @jaxsharks, as well as the Attack Dance Team at facebook.com/sharkattackdance and Chum at facebook.com/chumsharks.