Tom Gilson is in his first year as Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at UIW. Gilson previously served as an assistant strength coach at UCLA.
During his time at UCLA Gilson worked primarily with the linebackers, tight ends and running backs. That group produced four NFL draft picks in the 2025, including 2025 Defensive Rookie of the Year Carson Schwesinger (Cleveland Browns).
Before arriving at UCLA Gilson spent three seasons at Utah State University as an assistant strength coach under Paul Jackson. During that time the Aggies made three consecutive Bowl appearances including a 24-13 win over Oregon State in the 2021 Jimmy Kimmle L.A. Bowl.
In 2021 the Aggies set a school record for wins (11-3) and won their first ever Mountain West Championship with a 46-13 victory over No.19 San Diego State. Utah State finished the 2021 season ranked 24th in the nation in both polls.
Gilson came to Utah State after spending the 2020 season as a strength and conditioning graduate assistant coach at Incarnate Word. Prior to that, he spent six months as a strength and conditioning intern at South Carolina. He also spent one year as the Director of Sports Performance at Elite Health and Fitness in Stoughton, Mass.
Gilson has also spent time as a position coach as he worked with the wide receivers at both Xaverian Brothers High School in Westwood, Mass. during the 2018 season, and for Mount Ida College in Newton, Mass. during the 2016 and 2017 seasons.
Before coaching, Gilson spent six years playing professionally in the Arena Football League. During his time in the AFL Gilson totaled 206 receptions for 2,094 yards, and 23 touchdowns.
Gilson’s last season of professional football was in 2018 for the Jacksonville Sharks, as he played in 13 games and had 67 catches for 875 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Gilson played collegiately at Massachusetts and earned his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology in 2011.
He is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and has a master’s degree in Human Movement Science.
