Gillespie staying put ...

Marshall County coach Gus Gillespie has some news for those who might throw his name around for other jobs.

He’s not going anywhere.

“I’m happy here,” Gillespie said this week after his name was mentioned as a potential candidate at Mount Vernon, Ill., a school where he served as an assistant coach in the late 1990s. “I’m happy with the school system, happy with the administration and with the kids.

“I’m sure that’s a job that’s going to have a lot of interest, but it’s something I’m not interested in.”

Gillespie’s name was a natural to come up in connection with the Mount Vernon position. The Rams were southern Illinois’ best program in his four years at the school. Led by future Southern Illinois University star Kent Williams, the Rams went to the Class AA state tournament in 1997. Two years later, they were undefeated and ranked second in the state before losing to a Darius Miles-led East St. Louis squad in the supersectional.

In the nine years since he left, Gillespie has compiled a 205-61 record as a head coach, which also includes four years at Robinson and Centralia in southern Illinois and a 25-6 mark this season. Just this week, he was the named the Paducah Sun’s Purchase Coach of the Year.

Doug Creel, his former boss at Mount Vernon, announced his retirement earlier this week. Mount Vernon finished in the final eight of Illinois’ new Class 3A, losing to Champaign Central in the supersectional.

Gillespie, meanwhile, just finished his most trying season as a head coach. His son Gunner has been battling a brain tumor that was diagnosed in late November, and Gillespie missed part of the season to be with his son.

“I’ve still got a lot of friends in Mount Vernon, and Doug is one of my close friends — we’ve talked weekly since I left,” Gillespie said. “But I’m content with my life here. With Gunner’s situation and the way the community has helped us, I wouldn’t leave for any job right now.”