Cairn head coach Luke Gibson is in his 11th season at the helm of the Cairn Men's Soccer program in 2024. Gibson is the 11
th head coach in program history transforming the program from two wins in his first season to a perennial United East contender, leading Cairn to six-straight conference playoff appearances and two conference championship games.
2024 marked Cairn's second season competing in the United East, where the Highlanders worked to an 11-3-5 record, enough to each them a #3 seed in the United East Championship Tournament where they made a semifinal round appearance. Jesse Brittain was named United East Player of the Year after a season of 14 goals and 3 assists, marking the third consecutive year a Cairn Men's Soccer student-athlete has been named conference player of the year under Gibson's leadership and nine All-Conference selections.
The Highlanders transitioned into the United East in 2023, playing out of the former Skye Division featuring old Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) rivals, finishing 8-5-1 and earning their inaugural United East postseason berth. Moses Beers was named United East Skye Division Player of the Year as the reigning CSAC Player of the Year from 2022 in addition to the University's first ever College Sports Communicators Academic All-American. Eight of Gibson's players were named All-Conference.
Courtesy - Neil Knudsen
In 2022, Gibson commanded the Highlanders to their second-straight CSAC Championship game. Under Gibson's oversight, a program-record 11 Highlanders (their entire starting lineup) received all-conference recognition, and a school-record three players earned United Soccer Coaches' All-Region accolades. Additionally, sophomore Moses Beers was named the CSAC Player of the Year, the first in program history.
In 2021, Gibson led the Highlanders to their first CSAC Championship game in program history, defeating No. 2 seed Keystone College in double overtime to advance to the championship. Under Gibson's tutelage, two Players earned major conference awards (Kameron Clark - DPOY, Jesse Brittain - ROY).
In 2019, Gibson led Cairn to its second-straight season above .500, earning 10 wins and qualifying for the CSAC Tournament. Under Gibson's guidance, the Highlanders had eight All-CSAC selections, including five first teams picks and the CSAC Defensive Player of the Year (Kameron Clark).
In 2018, Gibson directed Cairn to one of its best seasons in program history. The Highlanders finished with a 12-3-2 record, earning the first-ever CSAC regular season title, and tallying the most wins in over 10 years. The season was highlighted by a 14 game unbeaten streak, and an undefeated conference regular season. In addition to their team success, the Highlanders placed seven players on the CSAC All-Conference teams, and saw the program have its first ever athletes earn a nod on the Mid-Atlantic All Region team. The team won its second consecutive CSAC All-Academic Team Award which is given to the highest performing academic team in the conference. For their incredible success, Gibson was awarded with his first ever CSAC Coach of the Year award.
Prior to the success of 2018, Gibson led Cairn to its first ever CSAC playoff appearance in 2017. Additionally, the 2017 team won their first CSAC All-Academic Team Award.
Before coming to Cairn, Gibson was the head coach at William Tennent High School. He led the Panthers to their deepest 2013 PIAA District One Class 4A playoff run. Throughout his four years at William Tennent, Gibson accumulated 30 wins, highlighted by a 2013 season where they finished with a 10-8-3 record and a 6-5-3 record in the highly competitive Suburban One National Conference.
Gibson also spent two years as an Assistant Coach at Lancaster Bible College, where the Chargers turned in the most wins (17) in school history and made their first NCCAA national tournament appearance. He also spent two years as the head varsity coach at Donegal High School, where he led the team to their first district playoff appearance in 17 years.
In addition to coaching the Highlanders, Gibson is the Director of Cairn's Pathway Center.
Gibson received his undergraduate degree from Millersville University and his master’s degree from Cairn University. He currently lives in Langhorne with his wife and two daughters.
| The Gibson File |
| Year |
Record |
Accolades |
| 2024 |
11-3-5 |
United East Semifinal Appearance, Player of the Year 9 All-Conference Selections |
| 2023 |
8-5-5 |
United East Divisional First Round Appearance, Player of the Year, 8 All-Conference Selections |
| 2022 |
9-6-5 |
CSAC Championship Appearance, Player of the Year, 11 All-Conference Selections |
| 2021 |
11-4-2 |
CSAC Championship Appearance, Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year |
| 2019 |
10-7-1 |
CSAC Tournament, Defensive Player of the Year |
| 2018 |
12-3-2 |
CSAC Tournament, Coach of the Year |
| 2017 |
9-9-0 |
CSAC Tournament |
| 2016 |
7-11-1 |
|
| 2015 |
8-9-1 |
|
| 2014 |
2-13-1 |
|
|
|
|
| Total (11 Years) |
87-71-23 (.544) |
|
Updated 11/2024
