May 20, 2013
"I promise what you'll get from me is a guy who will go to work each and every day to make this the premiere program not only in this state, but in this country just like it used to be" - Rance Gillespie
Those are the words of Rance Gillespie who became the new head football coach at Valdosta High School. Gillespie was approved to the position by a 6-2 vote by the Valdosta Board of Education.
"To be the leader of the Valdosta Wildcats is a great, great honor."
The Widcats have fallen on hard times as of late, having gone 22-21 the past four season. Gillespie has proven he can win having led Peach County to the Class AAA State titles in 2005 and 2006. Something Valdosta want once again.
"I know that expectations here are extremely high, but to have the opportunity. I think the risk/reward merits that."
Gillespie has been approved to be head football coach only, at the moment, but he could later add the title of athletic dricetor, but one of the first things he'll neede to do is work on finding 6 non-region games for the Wildcats to play next year.
"It will be a challenge, there's no question trying to get a schedule together and that's something that we've got to go work on pretty quick and try to get that in place."
Gillespie got the chance to meet with fans, but he knows all those supporters will want another thing to be accomplished, and that;s the demand to beat Lowndes.
"Not yet, but I got probably about 15 more minutes before that happens yet. Everybody here has been great. It's been coach we're behid you and all of that stuff."
He'll get even more support if he can add another championship to Titletown USA.
