On Monday morning, longtime Tops offensive coordinator and o-line coach Lawrence “Butch” Gilbert passed away at the age of 87.
Gilbert played at WKU from 1948 to 1951 and captained the team his senior year. Also, during the 1951 season, Gilbert earned All-Ohio Valley Conference honors as a center. Gilbert also kicked field goals for the Tops during his playing career.
After graduating from Western, Gilbert spent the next 17 years coaching at various high schools throughout Kentucky before joining the staff at WKU in 1969. He served as the offensive line coach under head coach Jimmy Feix for four seasons before being promoted to offensive coordinator in 1973.