In this episode of The Mindcast Show, we’re joined by Paul Gillespie, one of the most respected wrestling coaches in New York State history. With a career spanning decades, Paul has transformed the sport at the high school level, earning a reputation for his leadership, mentorship, and dedication to his athletes. With a career coaching record of 540-127-2, Paul’s influence goes beyond the mat—he’s shaped lives, guided young athletes through their challenges, and built championship-caliber programs that have left a lasting impact.
Paul began his coaching journey in 1975 at Long Beach High School, where he turned a struggling wrestling program into one of the state’s best, winning 17 conference and Nassau County championships and coaching seven individual state champions. His commitment to developing athletes extended beyond the sport itself—he was known for recruiting students from the halls of the middle and high schools, serving as a mentor to many who needed guidance and confidence.
In addition to his work at Long Beach, Paul has coached at multiple schools, including Oceanside and Wantagh High Schools, where he continued to build on his success and develop youth programs that have influenced the next generation of wrestlers. His accolades include being named National High School Wrestling Scholastic Coach of the Year in 2013, Nassau County Coach of the Year nine times, and induction into the New York State Wrestling Hall of Fame and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Beyond wrestling, Paul has also made an incredible impact in his community. After serving as a lifeguard for over five decades, he retired as the Chief Lifeguard for the City of Long Beach. In his 15 years as chief, under his leadership, there were no drownings while lifeguards were on duty during beach season. His mantra, "Everyone that comes to the beach goes home from the beach," guided his approach to safety and leadership, leaving a lasting legacy of service and commitment to the community.
Join us as Paul reflects on his incredible journey, his approach to coaching and mentoring, and the ways wrestling has shaped his life and the lives of countless athletes. Whether you’re a coach, an athlete, or someone inspired by the power of mentorship, this episode is full of wisdom and insights you won’t want to miss.
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