Don Gibb brings elite coaching and mentoring experience to the Bauer Team. His proven methods as an elite competitor and coach at the highest levels translates to help our clients excel physically and mentally. Don assists in consulting for executive performance, facility assessment and development. Don is also crucial in helping athletes training to excel in swimming whether adults working towards Personal Records in the pool or as triathletes, or juniors who need advice and wisdom on their path towards the NCAAs, Nationals or Olympics.
Don has served as the Head Coach at Florida State University, the University of South Carolina, and Daytona State College as well as assisting at the University of Florida, Florida State, and the University of Kentucky. Don was twice named Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Coach-of-the-Year while at FSU (1995, 1998) and led the Seminoles to their only top ten NCAA finish in the school's history. Domestically, his swimmers have won USA Swimming titles at Junior Nationals, Senior Nationals and at the U.S. Open. At the prep level, swimmers have been champions at Florida High School State as well as at the ACC, SEC, and NCAA Division I level. On the international scene,
Gibb has guided fourteen Olympians including an Olympic finalist at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. He has also led swimmers to finals at the Pan Pacific Games, Pan American Games, World Championships and Commonwealth Games. Gibb got his start as an age grouper at age 12 at Greater Pensacola Aquatic Club where he swam for Olympic Coach and current Texas A & M Women's Head Coach, Steve Bultman. Don then went on to swim at the University of Florida under Olympic Coach, Randy Reese, where he became an SEC, NCAA, and U.S. Swimming champion during his time in Gainesville. Gibb graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in Psychology.
Don enjoys fishing, golf, and spending time with his family. Gibb and his wife of 34 years, Gena, have adopted four children: Sarah, Emily, Hannah, and son, Dylan. They also have two grandchildren, Kaysen & Raelynn.
"Having been on the coaching staff at Florida State University with Don, I can say that he is one of the most gifted and outstanding coaches I have ever worked with. I attribute that far beyond his deep knowledge of his craft, although few coaches have his knowledge of elite swimming. Don is exceptional because of the human being he is and how he is able to connect with those around him and mentor them to be better than they ever dreamed they could be. Don is an exceptional person who has life in perspective and who teaches those around him that winning in athletics requires simply the same intelligence, dedication, passion and commitment that one needs for a successful life. Those working with Don always win.” – Tim Bauer
The Don Gibb File
Swimming Highlights:
Five-time NCAA Division I All-American
1982 SEC Champion 100 freestyle
1983 SEC and NCAA Team Champions
Co-American Record Holder 4x100m Free Relay
Top 25 World Ranking 1981-1983 100m Freestyle
1986 Masters National Champion (25-29) 100yd Freestyle
2003 NJCAA Hall of Fame Inductee
The Donald Gibb Awards at the University of Florida is given annually to a male and female Gator swimmer who performs above and beyond expectation.
Coaching Career:
Head Coach, NTC Aquatics, 2013-Present
Head Coach, Daytona State College, 2011-2013
Assistant Coach, University of Kentucky, 2009-2010
Head Coach, St. Edwards School in Vero Beach, 2007-2009
Head Coach, University of South Carolina, 1999-2007
Head Coach, Florida State University, 1994-1999
Assistant Coach, Florida State University, 1992-1994
Assistant Coach, University of Florida, 1987-1992 Florida Aquatic Swim Team/Holmes Lumber Gators
Head Age Group Coach, Nashville Aquatic Club 1985-1987 Head Masters Coach, Nashville Aquatic Club
