Unarguably one of the finest men ever to grace Rugby League, Jack Gibson, has died aged 79 after a two-year battle with Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
Unarguably one of the finest men ever to grace Rugby League, Jack Gibson, has died aged 79 after a two-year battle with Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
The family of the five-time premiership winning coach revealed the news nobody wanted to hear when they announced that Gibson had passed away at 6:32pm in the Garrawarra Centre, Waterfall.
"We are dealing as well as we can and would ask that Jack's many friends in their sadness that he is no longer with us, do not feel too sorry,” the legend’s family said in a statement.
"Jack would not want that; it was his own strong belief and appreciation that he had had a very fortunate life, and we know he would have wanted that to be the spirit of this time."
Named as the Coach of the Century in April, the Super Coach is remembered fondly for his revolutionary methods in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s that helped steer the Roosters to two titles in 1974-75.
He then ended Parramatta’s 47-year title drought in 1981 with a 20-11 win over the Newtown Jets at the Sydney Cricket Ground, the same venue in which his death was announced to the public from on Friday night.
One title for the Eels was not enough and Gibson went onto enjoy a golden period with his fourth club when he orchestrated two more Premierships at the expense of arch-rivals Manly.
He also went onto coach the NSW Blues State of Origin team in 1989-90.
While he never coached Australia, Gibson’s most prized accolade by all reports was in producing not just premiership winning talent but excellent human beings off the field.
Former players who had the good fortune of learning from the former Western Suburbs player spoke glowingly of his motivational and communication abilities.
Where did Gibson’s universal wisdom come from?
He offered clues in his final book titled “The Last Word.”
“From my regular morning habit of reading, I would write down any wise, pragmatic and smart quotes and ideas that struck me and that I felt could be of use in coaching, " Gibson said.
Jack Gibson…an icon, a teacher, a coach and an inspiration that generations will forever learn from.
Thanks Jack
Playing Career:
Clubs: Easts 1953-1961 (132 games), Newtown 1962 (11 games), Wests 1963-65 (19 games) Representative:NSW 1954 (1 game)
Coaching:
Easts 1967-68, 74-76, St George 1970-71, Newtown 1973, Souths 1978-79, Parramatta 1981-83 Cronulla 1985-87 Representative: NSW 1989-90
Best Achievements: Five premierships as coach (Easts 1974-75, Parramatta 1981-83) & being named coach of rugby league's Team Of The Century in April 2008.
