Career Division I Record
156-95 (.626)

Career Record
281-173 (.621)

20+ Win Seasons (6)
2025-26, 2024-25, 2023-24, 2022-23, 2016-17, 2015-16

Winning Seasons (12)
2025-26, 2024-25, 2023-24, 2022-23, 2021-22, 2020-21, 2019-20, 2018-19, 2016-17, 2015-16, 2014-15, 2011-12

Power Five Wins (3)
Big Ten

Conference Coach of the Year (2)
2022-23 MVC & 2015-16 GLVC

Conference Regular Season Championships (2)
2022-23 MVC & 2015-16 GLVC

Conference Tournament Championships (1)
2021-22 MVC

NCAA Tournament Berths (3)
2021-22, 2016-17, 2015-16

Other Post-Season Berths (5)
2025-26, 2024-25, 2023-24, 2022-23, 2020-21 WNIT

In 2025, was named as one of 20 head coaches to watch for bigger jobs by On3

Has led Illinois State to an 179-108 (.624) record, eight-consecutive winning seasons, four-consecutive 20+ win seasons, one MVC Regular Season Championship, one MVC Tournament Championship, and six post-season berths (one NCAA Tournament) – rebuilt a program that only had a 28-93 (.231) overall and 20-52 (.278) MVC record in the four seasons combined prior to her arrival

In 2025-26, led Illinois State to the program’s fourth-consecutive 20+ win season and sixth-consecutive post-season berth (currently in the WNIT Fab Four)

In 2024-25, led Illinois State to the program’s third consecutive 20+ win season and a 14-6 (.700) MVC record after being picked 7th (out of 12) in the MVC pre-season poll

The 2022-23 Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year, guided Illinois State to the program’s most single-season wins (t-24) in 13 seasons, most MVC wins (17) in program history, and first MVC Regular Season Championship in 13 seasons

In 2021-22, led Illinois State to the program’s first MVC Tournament Championship and NCAA Tournament berth in 14 seasons

Illinois State’s scoring defense finished nationally ranked 11th in 2017-18, as well as 1st in the MVC in 2018-19 and 2017-18

As Illinois State’s Head Coach, has recruited and coached 32 MVC All-Conference Team selections, as well as two Scholar-Athletes of the Year, one Player of the Year, four Newcomers of the Year, one Sixth Player of the Year, three Most Improved Players of the Year, and the first WNBA draft pick in program history

From 2015 to 2017, the 2015-16 GLVC Coach of the Year led Lewis to a 51-12 (.810) overall and 31-5 (.861) GLVC record, two 23+ win seasons, one GLVC Regular Season Championship, and two NCAA Tournament berths

From 2011 to 2015, led Benedictine to a 54-53 (.505) overall and 45-29 (.608) NACC record, increasing the program’s NACC win total (6 to 11 to 12 to 16) each season

In 2003-04, an Graduate Assistant Coach under legendary Head Coach Kay Yow, helped lead NC State to an NCAA Tournament berth

Helped NC State sign a 2004 recruiting class that ranked in the top-20 nationally

A three-year Team Captain at NC State, helped lead the program to three NCAA Tournament berths (one Final Four appearance)

02/08/26 – 100 Wins and Counting: The Legacy of Coach Gillespie at ISU (The Vidette)

03/25/25 – Gillespie Inks Extension Through 2029-30

02/21/25 – Kristen Gillespie – A Champion’s Mindset (The Vidette)

08/19/24 – Gillespie Signs Contract Extension Through 2028-29

02/28/23 – Kristen Gillespie, Illinois State WBB (Nothing but Net with Debbie Antonelli)

11/12/20 – 1-On-1 With Kristen Gillespie (Missouri Valley Conference)