Gibson plans for the future

“Ottis has had a very clear vision of where he wanted to take life after his playing days for some time” says Phil Dicks, Durham’s Personal Development Coach. During his stellar final season in 2007 (when he captured 10-47 v Hampshire and 80 Championship wickets, as well as helping Durham win the Friends Provident Trophy at Lords), Phil spent a substantial amount of time helping Ottis shape his CV in order that he could achieve a seamless transition into employment when he chose to retire. “We met on average every couple of weeks or so” says Phil. “I lost count of how many re-drafts we made but attention to detail is very important – after all it’s the rest of his life we were talking about.”

Every rain break and coach trip presented an opportunity to fine tune things so when England came knocking at the end of the season, Ottis was ready to add the final piece of the jigsaw to his already impressive portfolio. Phil continues, “Ottis was always keen to be seen as more than a bowling coach but the England job gave him the ability to add what we had identified as a career limiting shortfall, international experience – the final step towards his long-standing goal of becoming West Indies Head Coach. All that planning, hard work and commitment has finally paid off for Ottis. A role model both on and off the field.” 

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