Tulsa football coach Philip Montgomery has promoted linebacker coach Joseph Gillespie to defensive coordinator to replace Bill Young, who is retiring.

Gillespie, 47, has coached linebackers for the Hurricane the past four seasons.

“I’m excited to have Joe move into the role as defensive coordinator. More than anything, Joe was a key part in our transition over to the 3-3-5 look last season, just as was our entire defensive staff,” said Montgomery. “Most of Joe’s background is out of an odd-front and he was really able to provide a lot of knowledge and experience with this defensive scheme.

“Joe brings tremendous energy, great experience and a lot of excitement and enthusiasm to the position. He does a great job of communicating with our players.”

During Gillespie’s tenure, Gillespie tutored two 100+ tacklers, Trent Martin and Matt Linscott, while a year later the duo ranked one-two for tackles. In each of the last two years, linebacker Cooper Edmiston totaled over 100 stops, including 106 in 2017 and 113 tackles as a junior this last season. Red-shirt freshman linebacker Zaven Collins earned USA Today Freshman All-America honors in 2018 under Gillespie.

Gillespie helped transition the Hurricane from a base 4-man front to a 3-3-5 alignment this past season and Tulsa’s defensive numbers emphatically improved. Tulsa ended the 2018 regular season with the nation’s 7th best pass defense, while allowing opponents 120+ yards less in total offense than a year earlier. 

“I’m tremendously excited about the opportunity and extremely thankful to coach Montgomery for the confidence he’s shown in me and our defensive staff with the direction we’re headed as a defense. I’m humbled by it,” said Gillespie.

Gillespie served as the athletics director and head football coach at Stephenville (Texas) High School for seven years.

“The continuity with Joe leading our defense will be vitally important as we progress. The loss of Bill is great. He brought so much to the table for us, but I know Joe brings a lot of knowledge and experience. I trust him. He’s a guy that will bring a ton of energy and enthusiasm to our defense,” said Montgomery.