Coach -
Joe Gillespie, the former TCU Defensive Coordinator made the move to become Midway High School’s head coach in January of 2024.
Prior to his arrival, 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 led the Panthers to a 7-4 season behind the efforts of a stingy defense and an offense that can score points. Coach Gillespie has the program trending in a positive direction.
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.
Another blitz that Coach Gillespie will utilize is “Falcon/Buzzard.” They run it from 1 free but they can run the same blitz from a 4 under/2 deep. The zone version is especially helpful against “Mesh.”
Coach Gillespie’s transition from the college level to high school has brought a disciplined, aggressive brand of defense to Midway. His use of smart pressure packages shows how sound scheme and fundamentals can quickly turn a program around.
Keep the pressure coming,
The Coaches Clinic Team
P.S. Get all of Coach Gillespie’s clinic presentations:
More on the 3-3 Defense:
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