Gilby, New Duties
Keith Gilbertson picked to manage FB Office
Staff at 4malamute.com, Posted 18 June 2003

Photo, courtesy of realdawg.com

University of Washington Athletic Director Barbara Hedges has assigned Keith Gilbertson to manage the Husky football office while former head coach Rick Neuheisel remains suspended.  Technically, Neuheisel, who was terminated from his position as head coach on June 11 for just cause, remains the head coach until the termination process is complete.

According to a statement released by the official Husky website (gohuskies.com), Hedges said, "As we proceed through this process, it is necessary to have a member of the current staff coordinate the efforts of the football department and Keith has agreed to serve in that capacity...This is a very difficult time for everyone in the football office, yet at the same time, it is necessary to go about the business at hand and that includes having someone with the authority to make final decisions on some matters. Keith will work in that role and I appreciate his willingness to accept these additional responsibilities during this time."

Gilbertson, 55, works as an offensive coordinator and tight ends coach at Washington. Prior to his hiring at Washington in 1999, he worked under Dennis Erickson as a tight ends coach for the Seattle Seahawks, where he held the position for three years.

His overall head coaching record is 48-35. It includes a three-year stint at Idaho (1986-1988), where he posted a 28-9 record, and four years at California (1995-1998) where his teams won 20 and lost 26 games.

Gilbertson, or “Gilby" as fans call him, led the Vandals to an 11-2 record in 1988, the best mark in school history. That year, Idaho advanced to the NCAA Division I-AA semifinals, and he was named the Big Sky Conference coach of the year. His 1987 and 1988 teams won the Big Sky championships.

According to gohuskies.com, "(Gilbertson) attended Snohomish High School before going on to play football at Columbia Basin Junior College in 1967. He was a defensive lineman at Hawaii in 1969-70 before returning to earn his bachelor’s degree in social sciences from Central Washington in 1971. Gilbertson earned a degree in education from Western Washington in 1974. He and his wife, Barbara, have three children."

Washington will name a replacement for Neuheisel to fill the head coaching vacancy at the completion of his termination process. Neuheisel has until June 26 to respond to his termination.

History as player and coach:

Overall head coaching record: 48-35
Idaho, 1986-1988, 28-9
California, 1992-1995, 20-26-0

Played football for father, who was head coach at Snohomish High School
Played football at Columbia Basin Junior College, 1967
Hawaii, 1968-1969, Defensive Lineman
Central Washington, 1971, Degree in Social Sciences
Idaho State, 1971-1973, freshman coach
Western Washington, 1974-1975. Defensive Coordinator, Degree in Education
Washington, 1973, Graduate Assistant
Utah State, 1977-1981, Offensive Coordinator
Idaho, 1982, Offensive Coordinator
USFL, Los Angeles Express, 1983-1984
Idaho, 1985, Offensive Coordinator
Idaho, 1986-1988, Head Coach (28-9)
Washington, 1989-1991, Offensive Coordinator
California, 1992-1995, Head Coach (20-26-0)
Seattle Seahawks, 1996, Defensive Specialist
Seattle Seahawks, 1997-1998, Tight Ends Coach
Washington, 1999-Present, Offensive Coordinator