Paul Gillespie began his high school wrestling career at Baldwin High School where he placed second in the Section Eight championships to the eventual New York state champion. However, he was selected the most outstanding athlete in Baldwin High School his senior year. 

Milt Collier, wrestling coach at West Chester State College in Pennsylvania, recruited Gillespie and there he received a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education. Under Collier’s guidance, Gillespie developed as a national contender in wrestling and was twice named Division I All-American.

Following his college wrestling career, Gillespie competed for the New York Athletic Club and became a U.S. Wrestling Federation National Open champion. He also completed his master’s degree in health at Hofstra University and became the head wrestling coach at Long Beach High School. 

Long Beach, one of two cities in Nassau County, has a long history of wrestling. However, as a team and a wrestling program, it had been undistinguished prior to Gillespie’s tenure. Gillespie registered a dual meet record of 222 wins, 41 losses, and two ties. His teams won 17 Nassau County team championships, eight in dual meets and nine tournament awards. For the only time in the history of LBHS, it ranked nationally: in 1982 - 7th, 1987 - 13th. Six Times, Gillespie was presented the Nassau County Coach of the Year award. Assisted by Reggie Jones, Jr., Gillespie and the Long Beach wrestlers produced 121 All-County wrestlers. They coached 38 Nassau County champions, seven New York State High School champions, six high school champions, three who achieved the national finals, and one national high school champion. 

During his tenure as a teacher and coach at Long Beach, Gillespie helped hundreds of under-privileged children escape the pitfalls of drugs and poverty. He set a positive example for all of the many youngsters he taught and also for his fellow coaches, many of whom he befriended.

Married, with three children, Paul is working with his son P.J. who was a Nassau County champion in 2005 and a place-winner in the New York state championships.

He is also involved in the Nassau Community College preseason training program.

His community activities include: Director of the Hofstra University Elite Wrestling Program and Program Director for Kid Wrestling Programs in Long Beach, East Meadow, and the Garden City.

Although retired from teaching, Gillespie continues as director of water safety for the City of Long Beach and remains actively involved in his community and the promotion of wrestling as his contributions to the recent Beach Wrestling Tournament proves.