The Midway Independent School District Board of Trustees approved Joe Gillespie as the high school’s new head football coach and campus athletic coordinator.
Gillespie has 30 years of experience coaching football at both the high school and collegiate level. He spent 21 years as a Texas high school football coach before coaching seven seasons at the University of Tulsa, and most recently was the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at TCU in 2022 and 2023.
“We could not be more excited or proud to announce Coach Joe Gillespie as our head coach,” Midway ISD Athletic Director Brad Shelton said. “Coach has been part of some dynamic coaching staffs and has a tremendous track record of success at every stop, including a state championship as the head coach of Stephenville, and has coached at some of the highest levels.”
In his first season at TCU, Gillespie directed one of the nation's most improved defenses in yards per game and points per game allowed, accomplishing a 12-0 regular season record on the way to an appearance in the College Football Playoff National Championship.
In Gillespie’s seven seasons at Tulsa, including the final three as defensive coordinator, he coached three NFL draft picks—one being a first-round pick—over 15 All-Conference Players and was a part of three bowl teams. In 2020, Gillespie was named National Linebackers Coach of the Year by FootballScoop and was a finalist for Defensive Coordinator of the Year.
Before coming to Tulsa, Gillespie served as the athletic director and head football coach at Stephenville High School from 2008-2014, with the Yellowjackets reaching the playoffs in each of those seven seasons. As head coach, Gillespie compiled a 72-23 record, winning a 2012 state championship and four district championship titles.
Gillespie earned District Coach of the Year honors four times (2009, 2011, 2012 and 2013) and was the Big Country Coach of the Year on three occasions (2008, 2011 and 2012).
As assistant coach at Stephenville, Gillespie coached under Art Briles for five years, Texas High School Hall of Honor inductee Mike Copeland for three seasons and Chad Morris for five years. He also helped lead Stephenville to state titles in 1998 and 1999.
“Coach Gillespie is authentic, genuine, and competitive," Shelton said. "He has a true passion for developing and cultivating young people.”
A Stephenville native, Gillespie earned his bachelor's degree from Angelo State University.
Gillespie and his wife, Jodi, have three children: sons Josh and Jake, daughter Chelsea, son-in-law Tyler, daughter-in-law Cheyenne, as well as grandson Emmerson and granddaughters Ayla, Brenna and Josie.
Coach Gillespie becomes the ninth head coach in 76 years of Midway Football.
