He coached in the NFL for twenty years, spending seven of them as the offensive coordinator for the New York Giants, with whom he earned two Super Bowl rings.

Gilbride attended Southern Connecticut State University, where he played both quarterback and tight end and earned a degree in Physical Education.

[3] Gilbride was the head football coach at his alma mater, Southern Connecticut State, for five seasons, from 1980 to 1984, compiling a record of 35–14.

From 1989 to 2014, Gilbride served as an assistant with a number of NFL franchises, working as quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator.

The team scored 405 points in Gilbride's first season, including Moon passing for 33 touchdowns against 13 interceptions for over 4,000 yards.

[10] Injured quarterback Warren Moon, along with wide receiver coach Chris Palmer, stepped in as acting offensive coordinators.

[11] After a 1–4 start, the Oilers won its final eleven games to finish the 1993 season at 12–4 and clinched a first-round bye in the playoffs.

[12] Gilbride's use of the run and shoot offense was criticized throughout the campaign by first-year Oilers defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan, who called the system the "chuck and duck.

"[13] Ryan threw a punch at Gilbride on the sidelines after Cody Carlson committed a fumble instead of running out the clock with 37 seconds left in the first half and the Oilers leading 14–0 in a nationally televised 24–0 win over the New York Jets in the regular season finale at the Astrodome on January 2, 1994.

"[16] The Oilers lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 28–20 in a home divisional round match two weeks later on January 16.

[17] For their inaugural season in 1995, the Jaguars hired Tom Coughlin as head coach and Gilbride as offensive coordinator.

[19] Following the season, Gilbride was hired by the San Diego Chargers to fill their head coach position vacated after Bobby Ross stepped down.

The "interim" tag was removed following the season, and on January 18, 2007, Gilbride was officially announced as the offensive coordinator.

[1][30] In his first full season, the Giants went 10–6 and defeated the heavily favored Green Bay Packers on a Lawrence Tynes field goal in overtime of the NFC Championship Game to set up a trip to Super Bowl XLII against the undefeated New England Patriots.

In what is called one of the greatest upsets of all time, the Giants won 17–14 to capture their third Super Bowl title.

[31] In 2008, the Oakland Raiders received permission to interview Gilbride for their vacant head coach position.

The following year, the Giants fell to 8–8, yet still scored 402 points, good for eighth in the league, and the fourth highest total in team history.

[34] Following a tumultuous free agency period and some bad injuries prior to the season, the Giants began 2011 with a loss against Washington.

This was followed by a 37–20 divisional win against the Green Bay Packers, and set up another NFC Championship game appearance.

In Super Bowl XLVI, the Giants once again faced the Patriots, and as they had four years prior, they defeated New England 21–17 to capture their fourth title.