In 2005, 13 former players coached by Gillespie were playing in Major League Baseball, while six of his former players were All-Stars (including Mark Prior, Barry Zito, Aaron Boone, Bret Boone, and Geoff Jenkins in 2003, and Morgan Ensberg in 2005).

[4] Gillespie also played baseball at USC under coach Rod Dedeaux, and was a member of the 1961 College World Series champions.

[5] He was succeeded as USC's head coach by Chad Kreuter, a former major league catcher who is married to Gillespie's daughter Kelly.

[6][7] In September 2007, Gillespie was named coach of UC Irvine's baseball team, replacing Dave Serrano, who had just guided the Anteaters to their first CWS appearance but left to take over at Cal State Fullerton.

[8] On January 8, 2010, Gillespie was inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Hall of Fame.