Joe Gillespie

Not to be confused with Joseph Gillespie.

Joe Gillespie
Current position
TitleHead coach
TeamMidway HS (TX)
Record7–4
Biographical details
Born (1971-05-03) May 3, 1971 (age 53)
Stephenville, Texas, U.S.
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1995–2007Stephenville HS (TX) (assistant)
2008–2014Stephenville HS (TX)
2015–2018Tulsa (LB)
2019–2021Tulsa (DC/LB)
2022–2023TCU (DC/LB)
2024–presentMidway HS (TX)
Head coaching record
Overall81–28 (high school)

Joseph Gillespie is an American football coach. He is currently the head coach at Midway High School in Waco, Texas. He has previously served as the defensive coordinator for the University of Tulsa and Texas Christian University.

Coaching career

Gillespie began his coaching career in 1995 as an assistant coach at his hometown Stephenville High School under head coach Art Briles. In 2008, he became the head coach of Stephenville where he led the team to a state championship in 2012.[1][2]

In 2016 he was hired as the linebackers coach at Tulsa, and was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2019.[2][3]

In 2022, he was hired by first year head coach Sonny Dykes to be the defensive coordinator of TCU.[4][5] In his first season at TCU, Gillespie was credited for turning around the Horned Frog's defense and helping lead the team to an 13–2 season.[6] For his success in 2022, Gillespie was named a finalist for the Broyles Award.[6] However, the TCU defense struggled in 2023, missing a bowl, leading to Gillespie's dismissal on December 10, 2023.[7][8]

In 2024, he was hired to be the new head coach at Midway High School.[9]

Head coaching record

Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
Stephenville Yellow Jackets () (2008–2014)
2008 Stephenville 10–4 6–1 2nd
2009 Stephenville 9–3 7–0 1st
2010 Stephenville 8–6 4–1 2nd
2011 Stephenville 11–3 4–1 3rd
2012 Stephenville 15–1 4–0 1st
2013 Stephenville 12–3 4–0 1st
2014 Stephenville 9–4 2–2 3rd
Stephenville: 74–24 31–5
Midway Panthers () (2024–present)
2024 Midway 7–4 4–2 2nd
Midway: 7–4 4–2
Total: 81–28
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

References

  1. ^ Jr, Angel Verdejo (December 15, 2012). "Jones leads Stephenville past El Campo 70–35". Chron. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  2. ^ a b Keith, Brad (January 23, 2015). "Gillespie leaving Stephenville for University of Tulsa". The Flash Today || Erath County. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  3. ^ "InsideTulsaSports – Gillespie promoted to Defensive Coordinator at Tulsa". tulsa.rivals.com. January 3, 2019. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  4. ^ Tucker, David. "A Sonny New Day Means a New Defense". Sports Illustrated TCU Killer Frogs News, Analysis and More. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  5. ^ Hines, Kelly. "TU defensive coordinator Joseph Gillespie hired by TCU". Tulsa World. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  6. ^ a b Young, RJ (November 17, 2022). "Joe Gillespie carrying TCU's defensive legacy forward". FOX Sports. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  7. ^ Craven, Mike (December 10, 2023). "TCU parts ways with defensive coordinator Joe Gillespie". Dave Campbell's Texas Football. Retrieved October 26, 2024.
  8. ^ Johnson, Steve (December 10, 2023). "TCU dismisses defensive coordinator Joe Gillespie". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Retrieved October 26, 2024.
  9. ^ CHERRY, BRICE (January 26, 2024). "Midway targeting Gillespie as next head football coach". Waco Tribune-Herald. Retrieved January 30, 2024.