Mike Gillespie (basketball)

Mike Gillespie
Sport(s) Basketball
Current position
Record 90-94 (.489)
Biographical details
Place of birth Joliet, Illinois
Playing career
1971–1974 DePaul
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1988–1990
1991–2001
2001–2007
Saint Leo
Tallahassee CC
Florida A&M
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
MEAC Tournament Championship (2004, 2007)

Mike Gillespie is the former head men's basketball coach at Florida A&M University.

Contents

High School Coaching

Gillespie began coaching career on the high school level in his home state, winning 223 games from 1974 through 1987.

College Coaching

Starting in 1988, Gillespie coached at St. Leo College (now University) in St. Leo, Florida (just north of Tampa). There, he won 26 games in two seasons (1988-89 to 1989-90), including a 15-12 mark his first year.

Gillespie then moved to Tallahassee, where he built the now nationally renowned Tallahassee Community College program from scratch. From 1991-92 to 2000-01, Gillespie guided the Eagles to 258 wins in 10 seasons. Compil back-to-back 30-plus win seasons in 1995-96 (30-2) and 1996-97 (35-2), his teams were annually ranked among the nation's best junior college programs.

He then moved to Division I Florida A&M, where he compiled a record of 60-64, won two Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Championships, and made two NCAA tournament appearances in 2004 and 2007. In his last season, he led the Rattlers to their first 20-win season since 1989-1990.

Stalking charges

Beginning in March 2005, police investigated Gillespie several times on stalking complaints, and warned Gillespie to stop his behavior.

On May 25, 2007, Gillespie was arrested on a misdemeanor stalking charge. His accuser had previously reported Gillespie to police on May 15, 2007, but declined to file charges. However, she filed charges after he stalked her at work again on May 24 and 25. Gillespie was released from jail on a $1,000 bond.[1]

Florida A&M put Gillespie on paid administrative leave on May 30,[2] and fired him on August 14, 2007, citing the stalking charges.[3]

Professional Coaching Career

The Jacksonville JAM, Jacksonville’s professional basketball team, hired Mike Gillespie as Head Coach for the 2007-2008 Premier Basketball League season.

Head coaching record

Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Florida A&M (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) (2001–2007)
2001–2002 Florida A&M 9-19 9-9 T-6th
2002–2003 Florida A&M 17-12 11-7 T-4th
2003–2004 Florida A&M 15-17 10-8 T-5th NCAA 1st Round
2004–2005 Florida A&M 14-15 10-8 7th
2005–2006 Florida A&M 14-17 10-8 T-5th
2006–2007 Florida A&M 21-14 12-6 2nd NCAA Opening Round
Florida A&M: 90-94 62-46
Total: 90-94

      National champion         Conference regular season champion         Conference tournament champion
      Conference regular season & conference tournament champion       Conference division champion

References