Western New Mexico Director of Athletics Scott Noble has announced Zane Gibson as the next Head Men’s Basketball Coach for Mustang Athletics.
“First, I would like to thank Dr. Joseph Shepard and Scott Noble for the opportunity to lead their Men’s Basketball team. Both are tremendous leaders whom have an excellent vision for Western New Mexico University, and I could not be more excited to be joining their team in Silver City” said Gibson.
“I also would like to thank Coach Kirby Davis and Coach Josh Newman. They pushed me to be better every day, first as a basketball player, and then as a coach. Growing up in a basketball household it has always been my dream to lead my own program. There is an unbelievable basketball tradition here at Western New Mexico, as well as some amazing people and students. My wife, Teal, and I are ecstatic about joining the mustang family. We are looking forward to this great opportunity, and getting to work! Go Mustangs!”
Gibson comes to Silver City after serving as the Associate Head Coach for fellow Lone Star Conference member UT Permian Basin. In just his second season with the Falcons, Gibson was promoted to the Associate Head Coach title under Head Coach Josh Newman. The Falcons have made the conference tournament the past two seasons, surpassed double digit wins, along with placing two on the All-Conference list in Jacob Ledoux (2018-19) and Pat Dembley (2019-20) with Gibson on the bench.
Prior to his time at UTPB, Gibson spent time at another LSC member institution in newcomer, University of Arkansas Forth Smith. While they were still in the Heartland Conference, he helped the Lions achieve back-to-back regular season championships, while claiming the tournament championship in 2016-17. UAFS also earned berths to the NCAA tournament with twenty plus wins in both seasons.
Gibson got his coaching start as a graduate assistant at NCAA Division I Middle Tennessee State, where he also played for the Blue Raiders from 2009-2014. As a player Gibson was vital member of four conference championship teams, while setting the school record for wins with 27 in 2012-13. That record was broken the following year, as he helped the Blue Raiders win the Sun Belt Regular Season Championship for an at-large bid to the big dance.
Following his basketball career, Gibson graduated from Middle Tennessee with a Bachelor of Arts in history and a minor in political science in 2014, then completed his Master’s in Sports Management in 2016.
“We are excited to announce Zane as our new Head Men’s Basketball coach. Coach Gibson is an intelligent, energetic, young coach who is familiar with WNMU, Silver City, and the Lone Star Conference,” said Noble. “He has played and coached for some of the most successful basketball coaches around, and they all agree that coach Gibson is not only a natural leader with a high basketball IQ, but is ready to lead his own program. We look forward to Zane, and his wife Teal, joining us in Silver City.”
