Claude " Hoot " Gibson Claude " Hoot " Gibson ( born May 26 , 1939 ) is a former American football player and coach in the United States . A defensive back and kick returner , he played collegiately at North Carolina State University , and professionally in the American Football League for the San Diego Chargers and the Oakland Raiders . Playing career . Gibson was an instant star on the NC State Wolfpack freshman team , as a defensive back , receiver , return man and halfback . For the next three seasons , Gibson rarely came out of a ballgame . He led the Pack in punt returns in 1958 and 1960 , kickoff returns in 1959 and interceptions in 1960 with four . He provided crucial rushing and receiving yards whenever needed . He played his entire senior season with a broken hand and wrist . Gibson concluded his senior year by playing in four post - season all - star games — Senior Bowl , Copper Bowl , Coaches All - America Bowl and the Chicago All - Star Game . Gibson , and teammate Roman Gabriel , with four appearances each , played in more postseason all - star games than any Wolfpack player ever . It was Gibson ' s versatility , speed and daring that made him a valuable pro commodity . He was drafted in the third round of the NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears , but elected instead to sign with the American Football League ' s San Diego Chargers . Gibson played two years for pro football hall of fame coach Sid Gillman at San Diego , leading the league in interceptions in 1962 . During Gibson ' s rookie season , the Chargers lost to the Houston Oilers , 10 – 3 , in the AFL Championship game . Soon after the championship , Earle Edwards encouraged Gibson to return to NC State to finish his degree work , and help coach spring ball . He received an education degree from State in 1961 . Gibson ’ s first year in the pro ranks he picked up a nickname . His Charger teammates gave him the nickname " Hoot . " " During my pro career I never saw my name in the paper as Claude , " said Gibson . " It was ' Hoot ' everywhere I went , and still is today . " Following the 1962 season , Gibson was traded to the AFL ' s Oakland Raiders , where his head coach was Al Davis . In both 1963 and 1964 , Gibson led the AFL in punt returns . In fact , he owns the third best punt return average of all professional football players with 75 or more punt returns . Gibson returned 110 punts for 1 , 381 yards during his career for a 12 . 1 average . He scored three punt return touchdowns and had a long return of 85 yards . Gibson ' s pro career lasted five years , when he abruptly retired at age 32 . For the next two years he served as a scout and recruiter in the Raiders ' organization . Coaching career . In 1967 when Edwards had an opening come up on his staff , Gibson was the first person he called . Gibson returned to Raleigh just in time for what is arguably the greatest football season in NC State history . He coached the " white shoed " defensive backs of the 1967 Wolfpack , a squad that started the year 8 – 0 and rose to # 3 in the polls . The 1967 Pack finished the year 9 – 2 . Following the 1967 season , Gibson began a pro coaching career that lasted two years . At age 29 , he coached the Boston Patriots defensive backs in 1968 , becoming the youngest assistant coach in professional football . He spent the 1969 season on the Buffalo Bills staff . In 1970 , Gibson returned to college football as the offensive coordinator at the University of Tulsa . During July of that year , Gibson was elevated to interim head coach when Golden Hurricane coach Vince Carillot resigned . When Gibson ' s Tulsa squad started the season 4 – 1 , which included a stunning upset of Memphis State , a team Tulsa had not beaten in six years , the interim label was removed . His first Golden Hurricane team finished 6 – 4 . Gibson would spend three seasons at Tulsa , before returning home to the North Carolina mountains . He became the head football coach at Mars Hill College . He spent ten seasons there , compiling a 55 – 37 – 2 record , winning one South Atlantic Conference championship , producing four Division II All - Americans and 25 All - SAC players . He was recently inducted into the North Carolina Football Hall of Fame .