Texas Tech head soccer coach Tom Stone announced Friday the promotion of Gibbs Keeton to No. 1 assistant coach.
Keeton, a 2006 Texas Tech alumnus, wrapped his fifth year as an assistant coach and eighth season overall with the Red Raiders in 2017, serving as the program’s volunteer assistant coach from 2009-12 before his promotion to a full-time position prior to the 2013 season.
“I knew from the first time I met Coach Gibbs that he had a sharp soccer mind,” Stone said. “His passion for this University and commitment to the players was a foundation that he has built on over the last eight years on our staff.”
“Gibbs has worked at every level of this program from on the field training and in-game coaching, to video breakdown and serving as the recruiting coordinator. When we had the opportunity to restructure our staff, we did not hesitate to move Gibbs into the No. 1 assistant spot and increase his corresponding responsibilities as well. Coach Keeton has a great rapport with our players and his influence on our culture and the vibe within our team is a perfect fit for everything we are trying to do with Red Raider Soccer.”
Keeton has helped the Red Raiders to five consecutive NCAA tournament appearances from 2012-2016, which included a record-setting 18-win season (2013) and an undefeated run through the Big 12, a trip to the NCAA Sweet 16 (2014) and a Big 12 Tournament Championship (2015).
Under Keeton’s guidance, Texas Tech has seen its best group of goalkeepers at John Walker Soccer Stadium during his tenure with the program. Victoria Esson (Rio Olympics) and Lauren Watson (pro in Europe) re-wrote the record books during their reign between the pipes, both earning All-Big 12 accolades & continuing their playing careers professionally after leaving Lubbock.
Watson was also named the Big 12 Defensive Most Valuable Player during its championship-winning run at the conference tournament and picked up NSCAA All-Central Regional accolades during her final year at Tech.
“Everyone in a professional setting appreciates affirmation of ability from their boss and it is even more special when your boss is your mentor and most importantly your friend,” Keeton said. “Texas Tech is a program that Tom and I have pledged our loyalty to and I cannot be more excited to continue to grow professionally alongside Tom as a Red Raider. I look forward to the enhanced responsibility and autonomy, knowing full well that the measuring stick for my success will be our team improvements.”
Keeton’s previous promotion to recruiting coordinator three years ago has seen Texas Tech continue to acquire top recruits from all over the United States and internationally. He has assumed a modern fitness manager role, acting as a compliment between the strength & coaching staffs to help analyze data, assist in designing fitness plans and plan individual player in-season fitness requirements.
Coach Keeton has been the camp director for five years and has created a full annual elite camp curriculum that provides exposure for all levels of players and has been instrumental in recruit identification. The Red Raider Soccer Camp and Academy continues to grow and has seen a direct correlation to soccer growth in Lubbock and the West Texas community.
Within the Lubbock community, the El Paso native was instrumental in bringing local organizations together in order to form one major club in West Texas. He has served as the Director of Coaching for the FC Dallas WTX soccer club and has run the Red Raider Soccer Academy which helps train the top 6-10 year olds in Lubbock and from around West Texas.
Keeton earned his undergraduate degree in health, exercise and sports science from Texas Tech before receiving his master’s degree in exercise physiology from Texas Tech.
Coach Keeton is married to his wife, Sydney, and has a daughter, Sophie Jae, born on Feb. 17, 2018.
COURTESY OF TEXAS TECH ATHLETICS