Irish El17E Diary: Dillan Gibbons
Written by Dillan Gibbons
Nine overtimes.
Who would ever imagine my high school football career would come to a screeching halt after NINE overtimes? It was the longest, hardest fought game I have ever played in. Playing both ways meant I was in the fight for every down, every single play even on the field goal attempts and defense. With every exhausted fiber of my being, I fought ‘til the end.
I blocked a field goal attempt early on in the overtimes, but that did not bring the game to an end. In the end, it came down to a judgement call by a referee with no challenges or instant replay.
Like that, it was over.
As I stood in the center of the field with my Dad and brother Reilly, I hugged them and cried for the sudden and unexpected loss. Then, it dawned on me. My new chapter has begun.
I am no longer a high school football player but a commit preparing for my college career at Notre Dame. With that realization, I smiled and posed with my Mom for the last photo we would take together on a high school football field.
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Since football has ended for me, I have been very busy. I started my offseason workouts and am hitting it hard to get ready for what comes next.
Just after Thanksgiving, we got a call from Coach Hiestand letting us know he would be coming down for a home visit on December 1st and that Coach Kelly and Coach Denson would be joining the family for dinner on December 7th.
I had a great time talking with Coach Hiestand when he visited us. He talked about how hard his line worked this season and let me know that while sometimes a player might make a mistake, all Coach Hiestand expects is that they listen to his guidance and implement the changes he asks them to make.
As I sat there, I thought about how great it will be to learn from an awesome coach with so much experience like Coach Hiestand and from the older linemen that will still be at Notre Dame like Mike McGlinchey. Then and there, I promised myself that I will continue to be a student of the game and soak up all the knowledge that I can from those who want to help make me a better athlete while I am at Notre Dame.
My whole family enjoyed hanging out with Coach and it seemed like he really enjoyed the steak, baked potato and green beans that my Mom and Dad made for him. He loved the bananas foster that my brother and sisters made for dessert!
Now, we are getting ready to host Coach Kelly and Coach Denson on Wednesday. My Mom is making my favorite meal - chicken cordon bleu with champagne sauce, mashed potatoes and asparagus. Everyone’s excited to make the bananas foster again because it was such a hit last week. We all can’t wait to spend time with Coach Kelly although it will be a bit surreal to have him in our living room! It is such an honor to be committed to play for the Irish!
On Friday at 6 a.m., our whole family is flying up to Chicago and then being transported to Notre Dame for my official visit and Echoes. I cannot wait to get back on campus and to hang out with my new friends - the other commits from the 2017 class. We call ourselves the, “lucky boyz,” because we all feel so blessed to have the privilege of playing for the Irish.
No matter how many times I visit campus, I always get a special feeling when I walk around. I’m sure the coaches have a lot of exciting plans for us for the weekend, but I am especially looking forward to spending time with the other linemen in my class - Josh Lugg and Robert Hainsey - and the rest of the offensive linemen on the team.
My family is really excited about the trip - especially my older brother Reilly who is waiting on his decision from Notre Dame Law and my twin sister Delanie who submitted her application at the same time that I did.
It feels like this is the beginning of the rest of my life.