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.

Video: “Burn”

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.”

Video: Falcon/Buzzard

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:

Joe Gillespie 3-Pack

More on the 3-3 Defense:

3-3 Defense Bundle