Turning it Around with Defense - High School Team of the Week
Sep 19, 2024 4:22 pm
Coach -
Our CoachesClinic Team of the week is Midway High School in Waco, Texas. Midway is led by Head Coach Joe Gillespie.
The former TCU Defensive Coordinator made the move to become Midway High School’s head coach in January of 2024.
The Panthers finished 2023 at 5-6. They started 1-5 and then got on a hot streak to make it to the playoffs. Prior to that they were 2-8 in 2022, and 1-9 in 2021. Coach Gillespie took over a work-in-progress.
Coach Gillespie has the Panthers off to a 3-0 start this season behind the efforts of a stingy defense that is allowing just nine points per game while averaging 34.7 points per game. Last season the defense gave up 29.6 points per game. Coach Gillespie has the defense trending in a positive direction.
Leading the defense for the Panthers are Chauncey King with11.3 tackles/game, Max Mayton with 9.7, and Landon Whiseton with 9.0. Carlos Coleman Talton leads the team with 3 sacks, Mayton has 2, and King 1.
The 3-3-5
While at TCU as the defensive coordinator, Coach Gillespie had an athletic defense that could run to the ball. Pressure was a big part of the package especially run pressure vs. 11, 12, and 20 personnel. A staple pressure for theCoach Gillespie is one that looks like their base. Motions and formations don’t force many adjustments. Playing 3-under 3-deep behind it makes it more of a run pressure. They can play it against 10 personnel formations as well. The boundary blitz is called “Burn.” He explains and shows it on game film here.
Congratulations to Coach Gillespie and the Panthers for their 3-0 start to the 2024 season, and for being our CoachesClinic Team of the Week!
Always be growing!
Coach Grabowski
P.S.
Get all of Coach Gillespie’s clinic presentations:
More on the 3-3 Defense: