Michael Gabb - Assistant Coach - Staff Directory - Creighton University Athletics

Staff Directory

Michael Gabb

Title:
Assistant Coach
Email:

Former Bluejay Michael Gabb enters his 11th season as Creighton’s goalkeeping coach. Gabb returned to Omaha prior to the 2016 season.

Helping the Bluejay goalkeepers adjust to a more attacking style of defense with three along the backline, Gabb’s instruction shined when the moment grew to its biggest. During the 2022 run to the College Cup, Creighton limited its opposition to 1.13 GAA over the final eight matches. The most impressive performances saw Creighton shut out Seton Hall and No. 14 Georgetown to win the BIG EAST Tournament, then hold No. 1 Washington to one goal in a road victory during the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament.

Gabb has coached a Bluejay goalkeeper to an All-BIG EAST spot four times.

The Omaha native helped the Bluejays post a 1.23 goals against average during the 2021 season as the Bluejays returned to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2016. Gabb also guided Creighton’s goalkeepers to a 1.23 goals against average as Paul Kruse and Collin Valdivia split time in goal in 2019.

The 2002 graduate helped Kruse earn 2018 All-BIG EAST Second Team honors and unanimous selection to the All-BIG EAST Freshman Team. Kruse posted a 0.64 goals against average, the fifth-best mark in program history and second-best by a freshman (0.51 by Brian Holt in 2008). The 2017 Bluejay squad posted seven shutouts and held opponents to one goal or less a total of 10 times.

Gabb helped Alex Kapp earn NSCAA All-America and BIG EAST Co-Goalkeeper of the Year honors following the 2016 season as the senior transfer tallied seven shutouts and a 0.84 goals against average during his only season at Creighton. Atlanta United FC selected Kapp during the fourth round of the 2017 MLS Draft.

Prior to returning to Creighton, Gabb served as the director of goalkeeping at the Colorado Rush Soccer Club for five years, and spent two seasons as the goalkeepers coach for Metropolitan State University in Denver. He helped guide the Roadrunners to a 13-4-2 record and 1.12 goals against average in 2015.

He also spent two seasons as a graduate assistant coach for the men’s and women’s soccer programs at Winthrop University in 2005-06. Additionally, he served as Director of Coaching at the Discoveries Soccer Club while attending school in Rock Hill, S.C.

Gabb earned his master’s in business and leadership from Winthrop in 2007. He also served as an assistant coach at Bellevue University and as the supervisor of the Millard Soccer Center, the Arsenal Soccer Club goalkeeping director and founded and directed the Nebraska Goalkeeping Academy.

As a player, Gabb spent five seasons with the Bluejays from 1998-2002 while playing for Bret Simon (1998-2000) and Bob Warming (2001-02). In 2007, he returned to his alma mater and spent one season as an assistant under Warming. During his collegiate playing career, Gabb helped lead the Bluejays to the College Cup twice, including the 2000 College Cup Final. In 2000, he set school records with 2,279 minutes in goal and 21 victories, while playing for Simon. The Bluejays won a program-best 22 matches during the 2000 season.

As a senior (2002), Gabb played every minute in goal to lead Creighton to its second College Cup appearance in three seasons. He earned Second Team All-MVC honors after accumulating a 0.96 goals against average and an 18-4-2 record. Gabb owns the fourth-most wins (41) all-time as a Creighton
goalkeeper and the second-best winning percentage (.802).

The Bluejays won three Missouri Valley Conference Tournament championships and made it to the NCAA Tournament each season during his time as a player.

Following graduation from Creighton in 2002, Gabb played professionally with the Syracuse Salty Dogs in the United Soccer League for one season. Gabb earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in business from Creighton in 2002. He and his wife Bethany have three children, Jackson, Asher and Gage.