Mike Gillespie (basketball)

Mike Gillespie (born April 2, 1951) is the former head men's basketball coach at Florida A&M University.

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. However, it is later proven that he never did stalk anyone.

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.

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

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