After 36 years of dedicated coaching and 22 years at the helm of the Assumption Knights Football Program, Wade King is stepping aside to focus solely on his role as school Athletic Director. This void opens a big opportunity for the next generation of Knights football, and school leadership is pleased to announce the selection of Nate Gilbraith as the next head coach for their historically successful program. Gilbraith, a Rock Island native, and a product of Alleman High School and St. Ambrose University, is no stranger to Catholic education. With coaching experience that spans all ages and sports, his primary love of football led to the past 10 years of focused coaching, with high school experience split among the Alleman, Kewanee, and Moline football staffs. Though this will be Nate’s first head varsity football coaching position, he has functioned at very high levels in all facets of the successful programs he’s worked in, and he comes highly recommended by local mentors at all three high schools. King said, “I’m looking forward to Coach Gilbraith beginning his head football coaching career at Assumption and helping him wherever I can.”
A dedicated Social Studies teacher as well, Nate is committed to the education of the total person. “It is an honor to be a new member of the Assumption Family and to be chosen as the next leader of the football program. I am excited to start the next chapter of Assumption football. I cannot wait to start building relationships with the returning players in the program and begin building a staff that embodies Assumption values. This is a program that has high expectations for their student athletes. Those standards need to continue to be held in high regard and promoted throughout the program.”
The interview committee was especially drawn to Nate’s balance of work-ethic, enthusiasm, knowledge, and character. There is much confidence in Gilbraith’s ability to build relationships and team as the Knights head into this next era of Assumption excellence.
