UMass LB Coach Garrett Gillick Pleased With Unit's Improvement
The linebackers are showing development and buying into the new scheme, according to Gillick
AMHERST, Mass. - Linebackers coach Garrett Gillick has seen consistent progress throughout the spring from his unit. It’s a matter of patience, and he acknowledges it will take time for them to get comfortable with the new system.
“It's been good so far,” said Gillick. “I think we have a nice blend of guys that we brought in and some guys that have been here. A few guys have had position changes, but so far it's just been a learning curve for all of us.”
Before joining the UMass football staff in January, Gillick spent the past 11 years at the University of New Hampshire, most recently serving as the associate head coach and defensive coordinator.
Gillick has admitted the adjustment period has been a challenging experience.
“This is the first time in 11 years that I'm learning something new,” said Gillick. “I've worked under the same system for the last 11 years. So yeah, I feel like a kid again.”
While at UNH, Gillick helped lead the Wildcats to six NCAA FCS playoff trips, including an appearance in 2024 for the 19th nationally ranked UNH team.
This past season, Gillick was a catalyst in helping defensive end Josiah Silver win Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Football Defensive Player of the Year while landing multiple members on the All-CAA Team.
Throughout his time at UNH, Gillick helped develop several All-American, All-Conference and Academic All-American performers. Gillick played an integral part in helping UNH become a perennial top-25 defense in the country. In his first season in 2014, Gillick helped lead the Wildcats to the semifinals of the FCS Championships while elevating New Hampshire’s scoring defense, where they ranked No. 2 in the CAA Conference.
Gillick previously coached at Bentley for three years, serving as a defensive line coach.
He also has experience at the high school level, with coaching stints at Lowell High School and Methuen High School.
Throughout the spring, Gillick has been proud of the work ethic of his skill group. He spoke highly of multiple linebackers, such as Timmy Hinspeter, Dean Shaffer and Tyler Martin.
“We're fortunate in our room because Timmy Hinspeter was in the system already, so he's almost like a coach on the field,” said Gillick. “Then you have Dean Shaffer, who's another guy that is a really intelligent football player.”
Aside from their physical talents, Gillick has been impressed with their leadership skills, particularly with Martin.
“Tyler would be the one that had the most experience from a leadership perspective, and then bringing in Dean and Timmy,” he said. “I would say those three have taken the reins in the linebacker room in terms of leadership.”
Martin’s physical upside stood out to Gillick.
“Physically, he's somebody that has all the tools,” he said. “I think it's just him trusting that he has the ability to go out there and he can be a physical presence in this conference. My job is to get him to believe in his skillset. He's somebody that we're going to rely on.”
Derrieon Craig is another talented linebacker whom Gillick has spoken highly of.
“He's a really good football player,” he said. “He's an intelligent kid. He makes plays, he just shows up on film, so he's working in that Star role.”
While the adjustment process has been difficult, Gillick has familiarity with some of the UMass coaches, such as defensive coordinator Jared Keyte, defensive line coach Nyeem Wartman and defensive backs coach Donald Celiscar.
“I hired Coach Wartman when I was at UNH, so I worked with him for two seasons,” said Gillick. “So he was somebody that I'm familiar with, and I had met Donald on a couple of visits when I went out to go see Coach (Joe) Harasymiak in Minnesota. I competed against Jared and hung out with Jared when he was in the CAA.”
Outside of coaching football, Gillick’s favorite thing about Amherst is the food.
“The food's good,” said Gillick. “Mission Cantina is probably up there for me. Garcia's is good too. I went to UNH, so I have experience there as a player and a coach. Here, it's so much bigger. It's three times the size of both of the campuses I spent the majority of my life on. So there are a lot more options here.”
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