Back in blue: BYU football tight ends coach Kevin Gilbride returns to program as veteran
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- BYU tight ends coach Kevin Gilbride throws a pass during football practice at the outdoor practice facility in Provo on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024.
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- BYU tight ends walk onto the field before football practice at the outdoor practice facility in Provo on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024.
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- BYU tight end Keanu Hill catches a pass during football practice at the outdoor practice facility in Provo on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024.
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- BYU tight end Keanu Hill (1) and kicker Jordan Kapisi (37) run up the field during football practice at the indoor practice facility in Provo on Monday, March 4, 2024.
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- BYU tight end Keanu Hill (1) talks to a Cougar coach during football practice at the indoor practice facility in Provo on Monday, March 4, 2024.
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- BYU quarterback Noah Lugo throws a pass during football practice at the indoor practice facility in Provo on Monday, March 4, 2024.
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- BYU quarterback Cole Hagen throws a pass during football practice at the indoor practice facility in Provo on Monday, March 4, 2024.
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- BYU head coach Kalani Sitake talks to his players after BYU football practice at the indoor practice facility in Provo on Monday, March 4, 2024.
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- A BYU defender attempts to knock a pass away from Cougar wide receiver Chase Roberts during BYU football practice at the indoor practice facility in Provo on Monday, March 4, 2024.
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- A BYU defender attempts to knock a pass away from Cougar wide receiver Dominique McKenzie during BYU football practice at the indoor practice facility in Provo on Monday, March 4, 2024.
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- BYU long snapper Dalton Riggs tosses a ball in the air before BYU football practice at the indoor practice facility in Provo on Monday, March 4, 2024.
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- Helmets sit in a line before BYU football practice at the indoor practice facility in Provo on Monday, March 4, 2024.
Kevin Gilbride didn’t spend a lot of time at BYU as a player.
After coming as a quarterback for the Cougars in the 1998 season, he decided to transfer to Hawaii to play football and baseball.
But that brief period in Provo more than 25 years ago put the pieces in place for him to return and be part of the BYU coaching staff now.
“It was because of the people on staff that I wanted to pursue this opportunity,” Gilbride said after practice on Monday. “I’ve stayed close with (Cougar offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick) since I was 18 and a true freshman here and he was a 25-year-old returned missionary redshirt senior. For whatever reason, we became close and stayed close. We talked technique and scheme with football but most importantly it was just being friends.
“I also played with (Cougar head coach Kalani Sitake), with (linebackers coach Justin Ena) and with (cornerbacks coach Jernaro Gilford), so there are a lot of former teammates on the staff. It’s pretty special.”
And he’s learned a lot about coaching since he was a BYU player.
“I’ve enjoyed the journey,” Gilbride said. “People can’t fathom the amount of hours we work, but we do it because we love it. It’s really our families that have to go through it, having them move around with us. They have to start fresh and meet new friends and all that stuff. So credit my wife for allowing me to do what I love, which is coach.”
Gilbride explained that he knew exactly what he was getting into when he got into the business because he grew up with it. His father (also named Kevin Gilbride) coached for 20 years in the NFL with six different teams, including being the head coach of the San Diego Chargers.
“I grew up with it,” the Cougar tight end coach said. “I lived nine different places before graduating high school. I have this conversation with a lot of other coaches about their children. They ask me, ‘how was it growing up moving all over the place?’ I say, ‘well, I liked it. I liked learning about different American cultures, different religions, things of that nature.’
“But I say it can make or break you. Sometimes people feel like their fathers aren’t present. I never felt that. I always felt like he was present when he was around us. I think that’s a big part of it. As long as you’re truly present when you’re home, they’ll get it and they’ll be fine.”
Now getting to once again wear the blue-and-white colors of BYU is a little surreal for him.
“It’s different coming back anytime you come back in a different role or even the same role,” Gilbride said. “Since it was 1998 when I was here last, it is very different but it’s been great. I have no complaints. I love the guys I work with and I love the guys I’m coaching, so it’s been a really good experience for me.”
With seven previous coaching stops on his résumé (including three in the NFL), Gilbride has acquired an understanding of how he chooses to approach a transition.
He explained that he doesn’t spend hours pouring over film but prefers to get to know the guys on his unit and make his own assessment of where they are at.
“I watched enough film just to have a feel for who they were physically,” Gilbride said. “But then I wanted to get my own firsthand account of who they are from a technical standpoint. You can only see so much on film.”
So what has he learned about the BYU tight end unit so far?
“Basically they are who I thought they were,” Gilbride said. “I think we have a talented group, but it’s a group that still needs to develop and get better.”
The first step, according to Gilbride, is to get on the same page.
“You’ve got to get to know each one of your guys very well,” Gilbride said. “You’ve got to develop a relationship from a working standpoint, but also a true relationship too. He’s got to be able to trust you. I really enjoy working with my guys so I hope they really enjoy working with me as well. Once I understand how they tick a little bit, then I know what buttons to press and all that stuff. It’s challenging.”
BYU senior tight end Keanu Hill said he likes what he is seeing from his new position coach so far.
“I think Coach Gilbride is amazing,” Hill said. “Since I’m transitioning to tight end from receiver, he’s really taken me under his wing and given me a lot of details on blocking and technique.”
Gilbride said that through the first few days of spring camp, he’s been pleased by the approach his athletes are taking toward getting better.
“The biggest thing is they are working towards that improvement and have the effort and the focus to develop, which is great,” Gilbride said. “When you have the growth mindset, it’s going to eventually pay off. Three days in, it’s what I expected as far as some things that need to improve. But they’re working on it and that’s all you can ask for at this juncture. I’m happy with where they are at.”
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