University of British Columbia Okanagan

Thom's first year as the lead assistant at UBCO was in 2018 when he joined with interim head coach Ken Olynyk to guide the team to one of their best ever against Canada West opponents.

Prior to joining the Heat, Thom Gillespie had 14 years of U SPORTS head coaching experience.

Gillespie twice earned the AUS coach of the yea, both in 2001-02 and 2003-04 with the UNB Varsity Reds. Following UNB, Gillespie led the Cape Breton Capers. From 2009 until 2010. Most recently, he was the head coach of the TRU WolfPack.

As an assistant, before UBCO, Gillespie had another five years at the U SPORTS level with the Victoria Vikes and the UNB Varsity Reds along with a year with the Dalhousie Tigers.

From 2012 to 2016 Gillespie was the supervisor and then manager of athletics, fitness and recreation at Olds College in Olds, Alberta.

Gillespie is a level IV certified coach with a Masters Degree in Education.