INDIANAPOLIS – In 30 years of coaching, Joe Gilbert has been fortunate to spend the last handful of seasons in Indianapolis.
Gilbert joined the Colts staff in 2012 and has enjoyed raising four children in the Zionsville School District.
Get to know Assistant Offensive Line Coach Joe Gilbert:Describe your journey to Indianapolis
"I started as a graduate assistant at the University of Albany. Then I went as a part-time coach to the University of Pennsylvania in the Ivy League for two years. Then from there, I got my first full-time job at Northeastern University. I spent three years there. Then I went to the University of Maine for six years, four of theme as the offensive coordinator. For one year I was the head coach at Mansfield University in Pennsylvania. Then from Mansfield, I went to the University of Toledo as the offensive line coach for three years. From Toledo, I was at the University of Central Florida. Then from there, I went back to Toledo for one. I was at the University of Houston after that. Then three years to the University of Illinois. This will be my fifth year here. That's 30 years."Most memorable moment in football
"I would have to say the comeback win here over Kansas City. Being down that much, coming back, that was just unbelievable, especially in the playoffs."When did you know you wanted to be a coach?
"I knew when I was a sophomore in college. I said I either wanted to play or coach. I went to Hamilton College. My parents weren't real excited about that idea. I went there to go to law school and decided to coach. It's worked out well."Favorite part about coaching
"I love the technique part of the game. I really think that's the fun part for me. Working with the players on the field, that interaction and that's the real, fun, fun part."Describe your coaching style
"You try to be detailed. I think I try to be positive. Kind of over time, especially at this level is completely different than college, I think you are more, 'This is what you have to do to get better.' I think the guys are self-motivated at this level, which is fun. You are not a motivator where you have to kick him in the butt and get them going, which you had to do in college sometimes."Who was your biggest influence growing up?
"My dad. He was hard nosed, worked construction. He was a guy, whatever you start, you finish. There was no quit in our family. You may not want to do it but if you signed up for something, you were going to finish. Him and my oldest brother were probably the two."Favorite hobby
"Golf, but I stink."Favorite food
"Seafood."Favorite movie
"Animal House."Favorite music/genre
"Oldies or rock."Favorite quote
"'To me early is to be on time. To be on time is to be late. And to be late, is to be forgotten.' The first guy I ever worked for, Bob Ford, that was his saying to us as graduate assistants. From there, it just stuck into my head."Favorite place you've traveled
"We went to Washington D.C. over Spring Break and it was the first time I had ever been there. I would say I thought it was unbelievable seeing some of our monuments. It was phenomenal. That's one of the nicest places I've been to."Why Indianapolis?
"I had this and two other places I was about to go interview but when I came here and met with Chuck (Pagano) and Ryan (Grigson), it just felt right. At the time, BA (Bruce Arians) was here and Harold Goodwin (former offensive line coach) I knew really well. I just felt this was a really great opportunity at the right spot for me. Obviously it has worked out."Favorite Spot/Part about Indy/Colts
"I really like that you've got downtown Indy and you have everything a big city has, but yet we live in Zionsville and it's like living in Mayberry. So you have the big city and the small things. That's really appealing. And the Zionsville schools are phenomenal for my kids."What do you want to see out of the offensive line group this season?
"You're always striving to be physical, tough, I think hopefully when they put on the film, they say, 'Hey, this is a technique sound group that plays hard.'"Family
Wife: Cheryl. Daughter: Madison. Sons: Nick, Joey, Timmy.
