As a pioneer in the sport of volleyball, Stephanie Gibson’s passion for competition has made a significant impact on Florida high school athletics.

Gibson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education at Florida International University in 1986, while competing on the volleyball and softball teams. Gibson began her coaching career in 1985 where she served as Assistant Girls Volleyball Coach with Miami Sunset Senior High School until 1988. Gibson served as Head Girls Volleyball Coach at Miami Sunset Senior from 1989-1999. She won three State Championships as an assistant coach and two State Championships as a head coach during her tenure at Miami Sunset Senior.

She then became Head Coach of the girls volleyball program at Winter Park High School in 2000 where she continues to serve as head coach. Coach Gibson has won four State Championships with Winter Park High School. Thus, Gibson has been successful everywhere she has coached and guided two different schools to nine FHSAA State Championships.

Gibson ended the 2023 season with an overall impressive 843-237 record in her 39 years of coaching.  Gibson has three FHSAA State Runner-up trophies, has won 24 District Championships, 13 Regional Championships and 21 conference titles in girls volleyball.  In August 2022, she won her 800^th game, becoming the fourth coach in state history to do so. Coach Gibson has also had a huge influence on Florida high school athletics through her involvement with club volleyball programs.  Gibson has coached back-to-back AAU National Championship teams and has been an OTVA Volleyball Club Travel Coach since 2000. Coach Gibson has had a tremendous impact on the student-athletes she has coached over the years and has developed high school All-Americans and FACA All-State players. Many of her players have received athletic scholarships from schools such as the University of Florida, Florida State University, University of South Florida, University of Tampa, Harvard University, Syracuse University, University of Cincinnati, University of Georgia, UNC-Chapel Hill, University of Kentucky and Arkansas State.

Coach Gibson was named the Metro Coach of the Year in Orlando 10 times, was named the Florida Dairy Farmers Girls Volleyball Coach of the Year four times, named the 2023 AVCA National Coach of the Year and was a 2-time finalist for the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Coach of the Year (2006, 2014). Gibson is a member of Pro Athletes Outreach, the John Wooden Foundation of Miami Coaches Wall of Honor and the American Volleyball Coaches Association.