Jessie-Ann Gibson was named head coach of the University of Guelph women's rugby program in June of 2025.
The 2025-26 season marks her first season as head coach of the Gryphons women's rugby program.
Prior to taking over as head coach, J.A served as an assistant coach with the Gryphons since 2015, contributing to five OUA titles for the Gryphons during that 10-year span. In 2024, Gibson was named the recipient of the Canadian Rugby Foundation University Coaching Award. A proud U of G alum, J.A earned her Bachelor of Science degree in biological science while attending the University of Guelph from 2009-2013. Throughout her undergraduate studies, J.A was part of the Gryphons women's rugby program, with the team capturing the second national title in program history during her sophomore season in 2011. As a Gryphon student-athlete, J.A was part of four OUA titles in her five seasons at U of G and was inducted into the Gryphon Hall of Fame alongside her teammateas in the 'team' category as part of the 2024 class, as a member of the 2011 women's rugby team.
Outside of the University setting, J.A has been heavily involved within Rugby Canada, Rugby Ontario as well as within the local club level. At the national level, J.A served as a Development Academy Coach at the U18-U20 level from 2019-2022. This summer (July 2025), Gibson is set to take part in the Rugby Canada Next Gen Women's 7's Top 30 Performance Camp at Shawnigan Lake (Vancouver Island, B.C.). At the provincial level, J.A has served as an assistant coach with the Rugby Ontario Senior Women's Blues and has twice been named Rugby Ontario Coach of the Year (2022 & 2024). Since 2017, Gibson has led the way at the club level as the head coach and director of the Guelph Rugby Football Club Senior Women's program, winning four Ontario Women's League Cup championships (2019, 2022, 2023 & 2024).
