Bio

The 2023 season marks Ben Gibboney’s fourth as Carnegie Mellon’s defensive coordinator. Gibboney, who has been part of the Tartans’ staff as the defensive backs coach since 2015, replaced longtime Tartan defensive coordinator Terry Bodnar following the 2019 season.

During the Tartans second straight Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) championship season in 2022, Gibboney’s defense led the conference at the conclusion of the regular season in scoring defense for the second straight season allowing 10.9 points per game, rushing defense giving up 74.9 yards per contest, turnovers gained with 29, passes intercepted with 20, turnover margin at 2.10 and tackles for loss with 9.0 per contest. The Cardinal and Gray ranked third nationally in turnover margin, fourth in tackles for loss and passes intercepted, fifth in turnovers gained, 13th in scoring defense and 22nd in rushing defense.  

Throughout Carnegie Mellon’s 2021 PAC championship season, Gibboney’s defense lead the PAC in scoring defense and ranked second in the nation allowing 8.7 points per game. The Cardinal and Gray additionally led the league and ranked 15th nationally in total defense giving up 246.7 yards per contest. Carnegie Mellon forced a league best 31 turnovers in 2021 while the rush defense ranked second in the PAC and 10th nationally allowing 69.2 yards per game and held eight opponents under 100 yards on the ground and six under 50 yards rushing.
 
As defensive backs coach, Gibboney has mentored two-time D3football.com All-American safety Drew Fitzmorris (2015 and 2017). The Tartans have had nine defensive backs named All-Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) with three first team honorees, since his arrival at the start of the 2015 season. In 2019, the Tartans’ defense ranked as one of the top teams in the PAC allowing 297.9 yards per contest.
 
Prior to arriving at Carnegie Mellon, Gibboney had coaching stints with Juniata College and Shippensburg University. During his time at Juniata, he worked with the secondary and special teams while assisting with video coordination and recruiting. At Shippensburg, Gibboney coached the defensive line.
 
Gibboney is a 2006 graduate of Susquehanna University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in history. While at Susquehanna, he was a four-year letterman for the Crusaders’ football team as a free safety. He was a two-time All-Middle Athletic Conference (MAC) selection as a defensive back and return specialist and played in all 40 of the Crusaders’ games during his career, starting the final 36. He totaled 259 tackles, including 190 solo, 13 interceptions, 38 pass breakups, nine forced fumbles and six fumble recoveries.
 
Off the field, Gibboney was a two-time MAC Academic Honor Roll selection and was named to the 2005 CoSIDA ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Second Team.
 
Gibboney earned his master’s degree from Shippensburg in December 2009 in organizational development and leadership with a concentration in higher education.
 
Gibboney and his wife, Jessa, reside in Squirrel Hill with their daughter Louise, son Porter and daughter Finn.