Lawrence “Butch” Gilbert, who spent the bulk of his adult life as a part of the football program at Western Kentucky, passed away early Monday at the age of 87.
After a career in the area high school coaching ranks, Gilbert returned to his alma mater as an assistant on head coach Jimmy Feix’ staff in 1969. He spent 15 seasons with Feix, a former teammate of his at WKU, coaching the Hilltoppers' offensive line.
In 1973, he was promoted to assistant head coach and offensive coordinator, a position he held through 1983.
Following Feix’ retirement from coaching after the 1983 season, Gilbert spent 1984 as an administrative aide and running backs coach for new head coach Dave Roberts before retiring from coaching.