Dear Brookstone Family

I am so pleased to be able to welcome Coach Gillespie to Brookstone. He has a resume rich with both high school and college experience in the state of Georgia along with a passion for connecting with student athletes and helping them grow as both football players and people. We found a proven winner and program-builder and look forward to the 2022 season and continuing the Brookstone tradition of excellence. 

Rance Gillespie comes to Brookstone from Hart County High School where he has been the Head Football Coach and Athletic Director for five years. Gillespie won state championships at Peach County in 2005 and 2006, the first two state titles in school history, and he was Valdosta’s Head Football Coach from 2010 to 2015. As the head coach at Valdosta (GA) High School, he picked up 49 wins at one of the winningest high school programs in American football history. The Wildcats reached the state playoffs in each of Gillespie’s seasons, including a quarterfinal berth in 2010.

During his coaching career, Gillespie assisted many players in continuing their football career at the collegiate level. During his tenure at Peach County, dating back to the 1995 season when he served as offensive coordinator, Gillespie had every starting quarterback signed to a college scholarship. Following the ’06 state championship season, ten of his players signed a National Letter of Intent. Gillespie’s former players have gone on to play at colleges around the country such as The University of Georgia, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Vanderbilt, and Virginia Tech, including University of Georgia stand-out wide receiver Malcom Mitchell. 

At Georgia Southern Football where he was the offensive coordinator and quarterback coach in 2006-2009 and again in 2016, his offense led the Southern Conference in passing offense in 2008 and 2009 and was ranked high nationally. The Eagles also ranked 20th nationally in scoring offense and 37th in total offense in 2006.

Coach Gillespie’s list of individual recognitions is lengthy. He was the Region 1(5A) Coach of the year in 2011 and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Coach of the Year in consecutive years (2005-2006). He also received coach of the year accolades from the Macon Touchdown Club and Atlanta Touchdown Club (Class AAA) and was named Coach of the Year by the Atlanta Journal Constitution in 2005 and 2006. Following the first state title, Gillespie was named Region 4AAA Coach of the Year, marking the third straight year he won that award. In 2004, he was not only named Region Coach of the Year but also Athletics Director of the Year.

Gillespie also served as head coach at Banks County High School from 1999-2001. He served as the running backs coach at Coffee High School 1994-1995, and from 1992-1994 he was the wide receivers coach at Thomasville High School.

Gillespie began his collegiate playing career as a defensive back at the University of Georgia, graduating in 1992. He was a four-year member of the program from 1987-1990, where he played alongside Brookstone’s very own Mack Strong (Class of 1989).

Originally from Clayton, Georgia, Gillespie is married to Claudette Giles Gillespie, and they have one daughter, Kennedy.

Coach Gillespie is looking forward to coming to Brookstone. About his new position, Coach Gillespie stated, “I am very excited to be the Head Coach and Athletic Director at Brookstone. My wife, daughter, and I are looking forward to joining the Brookstone family. Go Cougars!”

There will be opportunities soon for our school community to meet, get to know, and welcome Coach Gillespie on campus. Please join me in welcoming the Gillespies to Brookstone.

Go Cougars!

Marty Lester