The overwhelming majority of Tim Gillis’s life has been dedicated to Crestview baseball. A former Bulldogs player and a proud member of the Crestview class of 1985, Gillis went on to play at the University of West Alabama, where he set the school’s home run record and earned All-American honors as a senior.
- From there, it was on to the Atlanta Braves’ farm system, an experience he called a “dream come true” and one that most notably included a matchup against Michael Jordan during Jordan’s baseball experiment.
After that, he returned to Crestview.
Gillis spent three years as an assistant before becoming head baseball coach in 2002, while simultaneously serving as a football assistant. But now, the Bulldogs will have to find a new skipper. Gillis has announced his retirement from the baseball post after 24 years leading the program.
He isn’t leaving the school, though. Gillis will continue teaching at Crestview and serving as an assistant on the football staff.
- “To be able to coach and teach so long at my alma mater has been a huge blessing and a tremendous opportunity,” Gillis said. “I truly love Crestview and Crestview High School.”
Gillis gives credit to the Braves for helping him learn to be a coach, and he cherished the opportunity to coach his sons and nephews.
“I have so many great memories as a coach,” Gillis said. “My greatest memories were being around my two sons and my nephews for their high school careers.”
As much as Gillis aimed for making the playoffs every year, his top priority was developing character in his players.
Nobody knows what the future of Crestview baseball looks like, but Gillis believes the future is bright as long as the community continues to support the team, which he feels sure will happen.
- “I think the future of Crestview baseball is bright,” Gillis said. “It is such a great community with great support.”
Gillis also left advice for his successor.
“You have to do it the way you want, but treating people good is essential,” Gillis said.
Now, the future of Crestview baseball will be in the hands of the two people responsible for hiring the new baseball coach: Crestview Principal Victoria Hayden and a man Gillis coached with on the gridiron, Crestview Athletic Director and former Crestview head football coach Tim Hatten.
Barring any transfers, the new coach at Crestview inherits a good situation. Many returners are coming back, and only three seniors will be lost: Kyle Williamson, Will Lyle and Kevin Bottom.
