New York, N.Y., April 16, 2019 – The XFL today announced that Kevin Gilbride, a former NFL head coach with nearly four-decades of football coaching experience, has been named the head coach and general manager of the XFL team in New York.
The New York team will play at MetLife Stadium when the league kicks off in February 2020. Janet Duch, most recently Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications for On Location Experiences, was today named the team’s President.
“Vince McMahon and I are thrilled that Kevin Gilbride has joined us and will guide the XFL team in New York,” said XFL Commissioner & CEO, Oliver Luck. “Kevin has 40 years of experience as a football coach at the college and pro levels, including ten years in New York with the Giants, so he is uniquely qualified to work in this market and knows the heartbeat of the local football fan. He’s an offensive-minded coach, and understands the quicker style of play we want to be a hallmark of the XFL when we launch in February.”
“I’m proud to be named the head coach and general manager of the
XFL’s New York team, and I want to thank Vince McMahon and Oliver Luck
for the opportunity,” said Gilbride. “I spent ten great years as a coach
in New York, so I know how savvy and passionate fans here can be. I’ve
missed the sidelines, and can’t wait to hire a staff and get to work
building the best team we can.”
Gilbride joins Pep Hamilton (Washington, D.C.), Bob Stoops (Dallas), Marc Trestman (Tampa Bay) and Jim Zorn (Seattle) as the XFL head coaches named to date.
As a head coach, Gilbride spent two seasons leading the San Diego Chargers (1997-98), and five guiding his alma mater, Southern Connecticut State University (1980-84).
Gilbride’s coaching career began in the college ranks, first as a linebackers coach at Idaho State (1974-75) and Tufts University (1976-77), before becoming defensive coordinator at American International University (1978-79). Following his stint as head coach at SCSU, he spent two seasons at the professional level as quarterbacks/wide receivers coach for the CFL’s Ottawa Rough Riders (1985-86), then returned to college football as passing game coordinator (1987) and offensive coordinator (1988) for East Carolina University.
In 1989, Gilbride made the jump to the NFL where he spent the next 25 years on the sidelines as a quarterbacks coach for the Houston Oilers (1989) and New York Giants (2004-06); offensive coordinator for the Oilers (1990-94), Jacksonville Jaguars (1995-96), Pittsburgh Steelers (1999-2000), Buffalo Bills (2002-03) and Giants (2007-13), and two seasons as head coach of the Chargers. As Oilers’ quarterback’s coach, he worked with Warren Moon who passed for more than 3,600 yards and 23 touchdowns. A year later, as offensive coordinator, the Oilers scored 405 points, with Moon passing for more than 4,000 yards and 33 touchdowns. As Giants’ quarterback’s coach, he was entrusted with the early NFL career of Eli Manning, and as the team’s offensive coordinator the two would combine to win a pair of Super Bowl championships (XLII & XLVI).
Gilbride played quarterback and tight end at Southern Connecticut State University, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education. He continued his studies at Idaho State University, earning a master’s degree in Athletic Administration.
Born in New Haven, Conn., Gilbride resides in Naples, Fla. with his
wife, Deborah. The couple has three children, daughters Kelly and
Kristen, and son, Kevin M. Gilbride who is the Chicago Bears tight ends
coach.
