Northeast Ohio Mourns Passing of Hall of Fame Football Coach John Gibbons

Gibbons' legacy lives on through his family, including three active head coaches in the region.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 10:33pm

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John Gibbons, a legendary high school football coach in Northeast Ohio, passed away at the age of 82. Gibbons led Lake Catholic High School to two state championships in 1991 and 1992, and later had a successful run at St. Edward High School, guiding the Eagles to seven straight playoff appearances and a state finals berth in 2003. His impact extended beyond the field, as three of his sons are currently head coaches in the area.

Why it matters

Gibbons was a revered figure in the Northeast Ohio high school football community, known for his ability to develop young men both on and off the field. His passing marks the end of an era, but his legacy will continue through the coaches he mentored, including his own sons who are carrying on his tradition.

The details

Gibbons had a storied 36-year coaching career, amassing a 216-92 record. He led Lake Catholic to two state titles in the early 1990s and then spent nine seasons at St. Edward, where he guided the Eagles to seven consecutive playoff appearances and a state finals run in 2003. Gibbons was inducted into the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2015, shortly after his final head coaching stint at Bedford. His former players include NFL receiver Joe Jurevicius and lineman Alex Boone.

  • John Gibbons passed away on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
  • Gibbons was inducted into the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2015.

The players

John Gibbons

A legendary high school football coach in Northeast Ohio who led Lake Catholic High School to two state championships in 1991 and 1992, and later had a successful run at St. Edward High School.

Mike Gibbons

One of John Gibbons' sons, who is the current football coach at Highland High School.

Marty Gibbons

One of John Gibbons' sons, who is the current head coach at Lake Catholic High School, with his older brother Tom serving as an assistant.

Tom Lombardo

John Gibbons' son-in-law, who was a longtime assistant coach for Gibbons and later won a state title at Lake Catholic in 2001 before becoming the head coach at St. Edward.

Joe Jurevicius

A former player under John Gibbons who went on to have a successful NFL career as a wide receiver.

Alex Boone

A former player under John Gibbons who went on to have an NFL career as an offensive lineman.

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What they’re saying

“Love you Dad! You were 1 of 1. You were a great father, husband, friend and coach. You were inspirational to me and so many others by the way you lived. Will always love you!”

— Mike Gibbons, Son of John Gibbons

“Coach Gibbons defined what it meant to be a Cougar — not just through championships, but through the way he formed young men with discipline, joy, and purpose. His impact on our program, our school, and generations of families will endure far beyond the field.”

— John Morabeto, President, Lake Catholic High School

“I'm forever grateful for that. He's not only done that with me, he's done that with all of his staffs, and I think that's the legacy he leaves with all his coaches.”

— Tom Lombardo, Son-in-law of John Gibbons

What’s next

The Gibbons family is expected to hold a memorial service to celebrate John Gibbons' life and legacy in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

John Gibbons' passing marks the end of an era for high school football in Northeast Ohio, but his impact will live on through the countless players and coaches he mentored over his 36-year career. His family's continued involvement in the sport is a testament to the lasting influence he had on the community.