1. Offensive linemen don't often get the glory that traditional skill position players do, what is the greatest part about playing offensive line? What is your favorite memory from your playing days?

Brian Gabriel Offensive line play is the most unique position in sport.  It is the only position where your core job is to protect someone else.   With that core job in mind it takes a selfless individual who can forego individual glory for team accomplishment to play the position.   The greatest part is to have this sense of pride in what the team has accomplished.   Everyone who understands football understands that the perimeter play is important but the work done in the trenches leads to team success and without a great offensive line you will never have a great football team.
 
In regards to my favorite memory it would have to be my senior season of High School football leading a team from a 2-7 season to a 7-2 season as a captain.   That meant a lot to me and I spent everything I had to make it happen.    

2. The offensive line at Monmouth has been a strength since you started coaching here. Could you put together an all-time starting five?  

BG That's a great question. I am proud of the standard we have set here on the offensive line and there are a number of our former players that really should be included on this list. We have had at least 2 All-conference players in every season I have coached. In 16 years of coaching putting a top list together I'm sure I will will leave out some well deserving players but I'll still attempt it.
Left Tackle-   Tie Nick Locastro and Matt Stoneberg
Left Guard- Ryan Wetzel
Center- Alex Thompson
Right Guard- Tie Shawn Wright and Mike Hunchak
Right Tackle- Tie Russ Clayton and Matt Connolly
 
3. What traits do you look for in a student-athlete when recruiting one? 

BG I have a number of athletic skills I am looking for. The first is something exceptional they do on tape.  I don't care as much about deficiency as I do about something exceptional. I feel we can minimize the impact as a coach of a player's deficiency but cannot make someone exceptional. Specifically, in recruiting offensive lineman I want long bodies with good bend and flexibility.  I want guys who don't move like fat guys. I also want finishers on tape. And finally, I look for guys with the right mental makeup to play the position. Players who are workers and want to achieve at the highest level their talent allows them to.
 
4. What has been your favorite moment as a coach at Monmouth? Why? 

BG There have been some phenomenal moments. To name a few, the 2004 and 2006 NEC championships, the Hail Mary at Robert Morris, the victory over Villanova, and the victory over Liberty at home in overtime giving us our first Top-25 Win. With all those great moments I believe the greatest was our victory at Kennesaw this year to put our team in the driver's seat for the conference championship.  Our move to the Big South Conference was a major step up and to see our team reach that height this year was surreal. The best thing about the victory was doing it with this team, staff, support staff, and fans who make Monmouth such a special place to work.
 
5. If you have a full day off; its 85 degrees and sunny, what are you doing? 

BG That's the easiest question you've asked. We built a pool and backyard setup last summer and I have a nice couch and TV outside. I would be watching my kids swim while a game is on in the background enjoying a cold drink with the family.   
 
Coach Gabriel has mentored 30 all-conference performances in his time coaching the Hawks, including four out of five starting linemen in 2019. Along that time nine players have earned All-American recognition a total of 13 times including John Gallina and Justin Szuba this past season. Under Gabriel's direction, the offensive line routinely performs well in the classroom, with the unit recording the highest grade point average on the team year in and year out. He and his wife Katie reside in Wall Township with their two children, Teegan and Nolan.