The Zeitgeist List · coaching

Claude Gilbert

Followed Jack Elway. Claude Gilbert held San José State at National Program III for 6 seasons.

Peak, then fade
99–56
1973–1989 · 2 stints
San Diego StateSan José State
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Career arc

His real stature score, season by season, across every program he’s coached — so a stretch that stays in one tier the whole way can still climb or sink on the line, not just flatten out. Node color marks the tier reached. Which program a stretch belongs to is carried by the shaded lane behind it.

Stature score reached, by season of his head-coaching careerSAN DIEGO STATESAN JOSÉ STATEPower Programperennial contenderNational Programrespectable, streakyRegional Programthe building-block levelSan Diego State, 1973: 9-1, National Program I1973San Diego State, 1974: 8-2, National Program I1974San Diego State, 1975: 8-3, National Program I1975San Diego State, 1976: 10-1, Power Program III1976San Diego State, 1977: 10-1, Power Program III1977San Diego State, 1978: 4-7, National Program I1978San Diego State, 1979: 8-3, National Program I1979San Diego State, 1980: 4-8, National Program II1980+2.2San José State, 1984: 6-5, National Program III1984San José State, 1985: 2-8, Regional Program I1985San José State, 1986: 10-2, National Program III1986San José State, 1987: 10-2, National Program III1987San José State, 1988: 4-8, National Program III1988San José State, 1989: 6-5, National Program III1989-1.1One point per coached season, in career order; dashed segments are program changes — spacing is not proportional to calendar time

Reached Power Program in his 4th career season — faster than 37% of the 395 FBS coaches who have ever reached Power Program (rank #215 of 395 by seasons-to-arrival).

San Diego State, 8 seasons
+2.2
National Program I → National Program II.
San José State, 6 seasons
−1.1
National Program III → National Program III.

The big-game ledger

How he does in the games that matter most — rivalry record, performance broken out by real opponent tier, one-score games, and his toughest historical matchup.

6–1 against his rivals. Just 1–4 against Jack Elway.

Rivalry record
6–1
85.7% · 1 rival
One-score games
23–21–3
48.9% · margin ≤8
vs. Blue Blood or better
0–1
0.0%
Rivalry ledger
Fresno State6–186%
The toughest matchupNemesis
vs. Jack Elway1–4
5 meetings, 1984–1988
’84 L’85 L’86 L’87 W’88 L
Performance by opponent class
Dynasty
0–1 0.0%
Power Program
0–8 0.0%
National Program
20–15 57.1%
Regional Program
51–24 68.0%

Coaching career

1984–1989
San José Statecaretaker
National Program III → National Program III
Claude Gilbert held San José State at National Program III for 6 seasons.

1st-best San José State tenure of 19 by the numbers.

Followed Jack Elway (1979–1983) · succeeded by Terry Shea (1990–1991).

4 NFL Draft picks: Eric Richardson (1984), Tony Smith (1985), Jay Taylor (1989), Johnny Johnson (1990)

38–30
1973–1980
San Diego Statecaretaker
National Program I → Power Program III
Claude Gilbert moved San Diego State from National Program I to Power Program III in 8 seasons.

1st-best San Diego State tenure of 11 by the numbers.

Followed Don Coryell (1969–1972) · succeeded by Doug Scovil (1981–1985).

19 NFL Draft picks: Isaac Curtis (1973), Bill Ferguson (1973), Jim Peterson (1973), Claudie Minor (1974), Jesse Freitas (1974), Monte Jackson (1975), Duke Fergerson (1976), Craig Penrose (1976) + 11 more

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