Photo and logo courtesy of JMCSS
Deputy Superintendent Dr. Ricky Catlett and Liberty Technology High School principal Donald Hornbuckle have officially announced the hiring of Robert Gillard as the new head football coach at Liberty Technology High School. Previously, the head coach at Sheffield (Memphis) and Austin-East (Knoxville), Coach Gillard spent the past three seasons at North Side as an assistant coach.
“Coach Gillard brings statewide coaching experience to Liberty, however, just as important is his life-long connection to the Hub City. He’s a JCM graduate and has experience in coaching and player development in multiple levels of football,” Dr. Catlett said.
An All-State linebacker for the Cougars in 1989, Gillard continued his playing career at Holmes Community College and Lane College.
Gillard was a member of the 1995 team considered for Hall of Fame honors at Lane for their record-setting 9-1 season.
“I’ve always wanted to be a head coach in my hometown. My goal is to have an impact that transcends football. Liberty Tech athletes will be trend setters on the field, in the hallways, and in the classroom. It’s bigger than football. It’s about winning for Jackson,” Coach Gillard said.
Gillard garnered attention statewide when in 2011 his Austin-East team defeated perennial football power Alcoa during the Roadrunners’ run to the Class 3A state semifinals. Gillard completed a three-year stretch at Kenwood High School in Clarksville as head coach before returning to the Hub City in 2019.
“Those were great experiences, but it starts with recruiting within the school. Getting our young men excited about football again is a challenge I look forward to. I’m going to miss the guys at North Side, but I know Liberty Tech is where I’m supposed to be,” Coach Gillard added.
The Crusader program reached the pinnacle of high school football in 2016 with an appearance in the Class 3A state championship game. However, a series of coaching changes and roster decreases over the last several years have led to a string of winless seasons.
“We will show improvements every day. Our aim is a better winning percentage, but being on time and at school every day is where success starts. From the principal to the janitor, Crusaders will respect themselves and others. This assignment is bigger than football,” said Coach Gillard.
“Coach Gillard has a winning pedigree dating back to his high school and college days. I know he’ll set ambitious goals for his team. That’s the way winners operate, and I know he has the right mentality to bring about progress for student-athletes at Liberty Technology High School,” Principal Donald Hornbuckle said.
