Pro Hockey News

Friday, August 19, 2022

Arena: Jacksonville Sharks Name Jason Gibson New Head Coach

JACKSONVILLE (SportsDay) - The Jacksonville Sharks announced 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

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, Gibson and the 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.