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Joe Gilbert begins his first season at the University of Houston, where he'll coach the Cougar offensive line. Gilbert arrives in the Bayou City after spending the 2007 campaign at the University of Toledo. Last season with the Rockets was in the first season of his second tour of duty with Toledo and he coached the tight ends. Gilbert worked with the offensive line in his first tour of duty with the Rockets from 2001-03 before leaving to take the offensive line position at Central Florida, where he spent the past three campaigns before returning to Ohio. A year ago, UCF ranked 30th nationally in passing offense (233.75) and 34th in total offense at 373.17 yards per game. Knight offensive lineman Kyle Smith earn honorable mention All-Conference USA under Gilbert's tutelage. Gilbert's offensive line was one of the Golden Knights' most consistent units in 2005 and helped pave the way for Conference USA Freshman of the Year Kevin Smith, who totaled 1,178 yards on the ground from his tailback position. Center Cedric Gagne-Marcoux garnered C-USA All-Conference first-team recognition, while guard L.J. Anderson and tackle Patrick Brown earned conference all-freshman team honors. During his first stint at Toledo, Gilbert helped develop one of the nation's top offensive lines and also helped groom future New England Patriot starter Nick Kaczur. In 2001, Gilbert guided the Rocket offensive line to an outstanding season, helping pave the way for MAC and Motor City Bowl championships. Toledo ranked 13th in the nation in total offense (444.5), 16th in scoring offense (34.9) and 17th in rushing offense (213.4) that season. Offensive linemen Kaczur and Matt Comer were named All-MAC, while Kaczur also earned Freshman All-America Gilbert's offensive line enjoyed a banner season in 2002 as the Rockets ranked fifth in the nation in total offense (472.2), 11th in scoring (35.4) and 16th in rushing (214.3), while earning a second MAC West title and a repeat visit to the Motor City Bowl. Kaczur and center Chris Tuminello earned first-team All-MAC honors. In 2003, the Rockets ranked 11th in the country in total offense (462.75) and sixth in passing efficiency (155.55). Kaczur made first-team All-MAC while fellow offensive tackle Erik Faasen earned second-team honors. Gilbert also worked as a head coach at Mansfield (PA) in 2000, and as an assistant coach at Maine from 1994-99, including four years as offensive coordinator. During his tenure with the Black Bears, Gilbert directed an offense that set 11 school and five NCAA I-AA records. Prior to coaching at Maine, Gilbert was the offensive line coach and recruiting coordinator at Northeastern from 1991-93, and assistant line coach and recruiting coordinator at Pennsylvania in 1989-90. Gilbert was a standout at Horseheads (NY) High School where he earned All-Twin-Tier honors before attending Hamilton College in Clinton, NY. A four-year starter on the offensive line at Hamilton, Gilbert was a three-time all-conference selection, and in his senior season became the first Hamilton player to earn first-team All-America honors. A 1983 graduate of Horseheads High School, Gilbert earned a bachelor's degree in government at Hamilton in 1987. He and his wife, Cheryl, have a daughter, Madison (7), and two sons, Nicholas (4) and Joseph (2). |
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