Born in Donora, Pennsylvania,[1] Gibson played basketball at Penn State University,[2] graduating in 1952.

[2] In April 1963, Virginia named him its men's basketball coach; at the time, the Cavaliers were struggling to compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).

[8] The following season, Virginia won 18 of its first 19 games, including a stretch of 12 consecutive victories, and reached a peak of sixth in the Associated Press Poll.

The team tied for second in the ACC with an 8–4 record in conference play; it was the first time the Cavaliers had more wins than losses in ACC competition, and they were the first Virginia team to be in the top 20 of the Associated Press Poll at the end of the regular season.

[9] After the season, in which Virginia had an overall record of 21–7,[5] Gibson was selected as ACC Men's Basketball Coach of the Year.