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_Mike Gillespie USC College of the Canyons
Photo Courtesy of the COC Sports Information Office

‘Legend’ Lost: Former College Of The Canyons, USC Baseball Coach Dies At 80

A former 16-year College of the Canyons baseball coach, who moved onto coaching at the University of Southern California (USC) died Wednesday at age 80.

Former USC player and head coach Mike Gillespie, who played on and coached College World Series championship baseball teams with the Trojans, died following complications from recent lung issues and a stroke, according to the university.

He came to USC after a successful 16-year, from 1971-86, junior college coaching career at College of the Canyons. He won 420 games there, along with three state titles and 11 conference crowns.

Gillespie, who also taught English, physical education and health sciences at COC, guided the Cougars on the diamond for 16 seasons (1971-1986). He also served as COC’s athletic director from 1977 to 1986, and was a quarterback coach in the early days of COC’s football program.

Affectionately referred to as ‘Skip,’ Gillespie’s respect for the game, baseball acumen, and attention to detail drew the love and respect of his college baseball peers, former players, students and faculty colleagues alike, and also proved to be a winning combination on the field.

“He was like my second dad, truly a mentor and a friend,” said Chuck Lyon, COC Dean of Physical Education & Kinesiology and Athletics who played under Gillespie as a dual-sport student-athlete at COC in the 1970s, winning two conference titles as a member of the Cougars’ baseball program in 1973 and 1974, and later a football conference championship in 1975.

“He was my baseball coach in the spring and he was my quarterback coach in the fall. Most of my coaching style I learned from Mike,” added Lyon who was hired as head coach of the Cougars’ resurrected football program in 1998 and led the team to a National Championship in 2004.

“Mike’s passing is a tremendous loss for our Cougar family and the entire collegiate baseball community. The proud tradition and legacy he established at College of the Canyons helped establish a lasting foundation for our athletic department, and provided countless opportunities for thousands of student-athletes,” said Lyon. “We wish to extend our deepest sympathies to the entire Gillespie family, and his many friends, colleagues and former students and players.”

During his time at COC Gillespie compiled a 420-167 overall record (.716 winning percentage), won three CCCAA State Championships (1981, 1983, 1986) and 11 conference titles (1973, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986).

His teams produced 24 All-State selections and three California Player of the Year award winners. Former COC players Bob Walk (COC 1975-76), Shawn Barton (COC 1982-83) and Jeff Wetherby (COC 1983-84) all advanced to the major leagues after their time under Gillespie with the Cougars.

The three state championships were the first three such titles in the college’s history. Gillespie’s teams also finished as state runner-up in 1982 and 1985, making him the only California Community College coach to make it to five state finals in a six-year span.

“To be able to play for Mike Gillespie in that era you had to be pretty tough,” once recalled former COC Dean of Physical Education & Kinesiology and Athletics Len Mohney, who won two conference titles in 1973 and 1974 as a player under Gillespie, and was later an assistant coach for 10 seasons including the program’s three state title runs. “But we had so much fun, everything was so competitive, it was just a blast.”

“I worked with the best coach in the nation,” added Mohney, who eventually succeeded Gillespie as COC’s head coach beginning in 1987. “Mike respect­ed me, looked out for me and really took care of me like a Dad.”

Gillespie is one of only two head coaches in COC’s 50-year history to win multiple state championships in their sport, joining COC men’s/women’s golf head coach Gary Peterson.

Services are pending as of Thursday.

“The Trojan family is very saddened by the loss of coach Gillespie,” said USC baseball head coach Jason Gill, who while at Cal State Fullerton and Loyola Marymount played and coached against Gillespie. “Skip was an unbelievable leader of men. He made so many young people better, not just on the baseball field, but in their everyday lives. Skip was as quick to tell you the truth, as he was to make you laugh. On top of all of that, he was a good friend who was always there to help. The impact he had reaches well beyond college baseball and the world is better for it. As we mourn together, the Trojan Family will also celebrate the greatness of Mike Gillespie.”

In his 31-year Division I coaching career, he won 1,156 games and twice was the National Coach of the Year (1998 and 2014). He was inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2010 and the USC Athletics Hall of Fame in 2018.

Gillespie was inducted into the COC Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007 as an individual for his accomplishments as head baseball coach. He was also enshrined in the COC Hall of Fame as a member of both the 1981 State Championship (Class of 2009) and 1983 State Championship (Class of 2019) baseball teams.

He started his coaching career at the high school level at Palos Verdes High and Rolling Hills High.

He is survived by his wife Barbara, children Kelly, Mitch, Matt and Tiffany and grandchildren Cade, Cole, Samantha and Cooper, as well as brother Gerry.


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‘Legend’ Lost: Former College Of The Canyons, USC Baseball Coach Dies At 80

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About Devon Miller

Devon Miller was born and raised in Santa Clarita. He joined KHTS Radio as a digital marketing intern in September of 2017, and later moved to news as a staff writer in December. Miller attended College of the Canyons and served as the Associated Student Government President. Miller is now News Director for KHTS, covering breaking news and politics across the Santa Clarita Valley.