Born in Rutherford, New Jersey, Gibbs moved to Midland Park, New Jersey and graduated from Midland Park High School in 1980, where he played prep football and wrestled at the varsity level.
He attended Gettysburg College and transferred to Montclair State University for his final two collegiate years.
He was head coach of the Kean University Cougars during the 1989 season, where he compiled a record of 3–7.
[4] Gibbs won five Group III, State Sectional Championships at Ramapo and has a career record of 167 wins against 48 losses.
He was admitted to a hospital in Ridgewood, New Jersey, where he died from complications of surgery the following day, at age 59.