Gilbert was a special influence on his players lives
New San Diego State football coach Brady Hoke is the schools seventh head coach hired since Claude Gilbert, Don Coryells hand-picked successor, was fired in 1980.
Johnny Moore, one of Gilberts former players that was a senior safety on the 1980 team that finished 4-8, wrote me a letter to express his gratitude for the influence Gilbert had on his life on and off the field. Moore said he didnt appreciate much of what Gilbert taught him until later in life, but he finally got the message.
The same could be said of San Diego States administration not appreciating what it had in Gilbert when he was dismissed with a career record of 61-26-2 in eight seasons. Gilbert went on to enjoy success as San Jose States head coach and is now retired in Grass Valley.
Moores letter:
Tom:
Recently, I read an article that you wrote (A Decision that still haunts SDSU football) September 30, 2006). As I was reading your article, my memories were flooded with several emotions. I felt angry that president Thomas Day and the SDSU booster club decided to release (fire) one of the greatest SDSU football coach. I felt sad that coach Gilbert doesnt truly know how grateful I am for his strict discipline and understanding of a spoiled kid (Johnny Moore).
The 1980 season was a difficult year for the football at SDSU. I would like to read an article about the 1980 players and why we had a 4-8 season. Maybe one day sports writers will sit down with some of the football players set the record straight.
If you can forward this e-mail to coach Gilbert, I would like my coach to know that I have received a M.Ed. in school counseling. This is important because when I left SDSU in 1980 my GPA was 1.52. After several years had passed, I decided to return to school: Los Angeles Valley College (A.S.), San Diego City College (A.A.), SDSU (B.S.), and finally the University of North Texas (M.Ed.) so I can continue to be a positive role model for my students.
Coach Gilbert always stated that a good man thinks about his mistakes, but a great man works though his mistakes. I decided to work though my mistake of not taking academics serious.
Ive been coaching high school football collectively for 13 years and I can honestly say coach Gilbert was a major influence in my life. And please make no mistake, coach Gilbert surrounded himself with awesome assistant coaches.
