[2] Gibbons is a graduate of Bemidji State University, where he was played for the Beavers men's hockey team from 1975 to 1979.
Gibbons moved to Northern Michigan University in 1983, and served as an assistant coach with the Wildcats’ hockey program until 1988.
After leaving Denver, Gibbons worked for one year as the head coach for the Langley Thunder in the BCJHL.
From 1995 to 1997, Gibbons was an assistant coach with the Baltimore Bandits, the Anaheim Ducks’ American Hockey League affiliate.
After this time, Gibbons returned to Minnesota to become head coach of the boys' hockey program at Eastview High School, which had opened in the summer of 1997.
During ten seasons at Eastview, Gibbons earned Minnesota State High School League Section 5 Coach of the Year honors in 2001, 2003 and 2004.