BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Lawrence “Butch” Gilbert, who spent the bulk of his adult life as a part of the football program at Western Kentucky University, passed away early Monday at the age of 87.
After an outstanding 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 on The Hill, coaching the WKU offensive line. In 1973, he was promoted to assistant head coach and offensive coordinator, a position he held through 1983.