W
hen legendary coaches retire, schools face a big challenge - just ask anyone in Tuscaloosa. Like the Tide, St. Luke's legendary football coach retired after the 2023 season. To the delight of all Wildcat fans, his replacement is well known and well equipped to lead Wildcat football into even greater heights of success.

Born and raised in Mobile, Joe Gilmore was asked to be the Wildcat’s new head coach. Coach Gilmore grew up around the sport of football and has been playing since the age of six. He graduated from St. Paul’s Episcopal School in 2009. While at St. Paul’s, he played varsity football and helped lead the team to their first-ever state title.

Coach Gilmore earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Alabama and his Masters at the University of South Alabama. While at the University of South Alabama, he was a graduate assistant with the South Alabama Jaguars football team. From 2016 to 2018, Coach Gilmore worked as the St. Luke's varsity offensive line coach under Coach Lee. Prior to returning to St. Luke’s as a head coach, Coach Gilmore was the offensive coordinator at Northlake Christian School based out of Covington, Louisiana. While at Northlake, he was also the dean of middle school and assistant athletic director.

During his interview, Coach Gilmore said, “The reason I got into teaching and coaching is to help the youth.” Coach Gilmore didn’t return to St. Luke’s to only help the football team, but also to work with the other athletes and students on campus. He is active on St. Luke’s campus and enjoys getting to get to know all the students and faculty. One aspect of a good coach and leader is the ability to connect with people and take interest in their lives. Due to this approach, Coach Gilmore has already begun to spread a positive attitude throughout our campus.

Coach Gilmore said he is looking forward to this upcoming season, and that he looks forward to seeing the boys’ hard work from the summer pay off. This summer he enjoyed getting to know all of his players and connecting on a deep level with them. Coaching changes come with a lot of complexities like different playing styles, learning new plays, and learning how to communicate with new relationships. During the interview, Coach Gilmore shut down these concerns and said that he believes the players have handled the coaching change phenomenally.

Hard work is a clear value for Coach Gilmore and stands out as a core value for what he is all about. It is easy to see that he believes that hard work is what makes an individual. Without the hard work of every player, Coach Gilmore’s goals for the team cannot be achieved. Another phrase the Wildcat’s football team stands by is, “11 hearts, 1 heartbeat.” Coach Gilmore loves this slogan because it sets a good example for his ideal team. This line shows the true meaning of family and what St. Luke’s represents.

Football player and varsity team co-captain, Turner Tillman, said this about Coach Gilmore, “I love Coach Gilmore. He’s very energetic and I feel like that’s what the team needs.” Christopher Crawley, co-captain alongside Turner Tillman, used the words “leader” and “outgoing” when asked to describe Coach Gilmore. Both Tillman and Crawley said they look up to Coach Gilmore when it comes to their leadership roles as captains. They said he regularly says that he will never ask them to do anything he has not done before. When asked about Coach Gilmore’s coaching style, Chris said, “ He adapts well to the players and keeps stuff simple. He builds upon what Coach Lee already had.” From their words, it is easy so see that the boys enjoy Coach Gilmore, and that is ultimately what builds the team.

Clearly, St. Luke’s Wildcat football team is in good hands. Many of us were surprised when Coach Lee moved to retirement, and some of us may have even worried about how such big shoes would be filled. Although the concerns may have been real, the future looks bright, and the Wildcats are looking strong with Coach Joe Gilmore.