Azusa Pacific University Athletics

Wilbert Gilmore Jr. is in his first season on the Azusa Pacific University coaching staff, as he will serve as the Special Teams Coordinator and Specialist Coach for the Cougars.
 
Gilmore came to Azusa Pacific from Pomona-Pitzer College, where he served as the Special Teams Coordinator and Linebackers Coach for two seasons (’17-’18).  Under his direction, the Sagehens’ special team units ranked near the top of the SCIAC in kick return yardage, kick defense and punting. During his time at Pomona-Pitzer, he developed an all-conference punter and two all-conference kick returners both of which broke a 37-year drought by scoring on kick and punt returns respectively. Prior to joining Pomona-Pitzer College, Gilmore was the Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers Coach at Occidental College for two seasons.  He also spent one season as the linebackers coach at Claremont McKenna College.
 
Prior to coaching in the collegiate ranks, Gilmore spent a number of years coaching top-level high school football in both Southern California and the Washington D.C. area.  Very active in his community, Gilmore has volunteered for NFL FLAG Los Angeles for the past 4 seasons and is also a reading coach at his neighborhood elementary school.  He has mentored several players that have went on to successful careers on and off the field, of which he’s most proud of. He has been an active member of the America Football Coaches Association for the past 10 years.  He has also been guest speaker on the coaching circuit for the past four years.
 
Gilmore graduated from Tulane University with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics. He also graduated with a Masters degree in Recreation and Sports Science from Ohio University.  While at Tulane, he lettered 4 years in football, having been named Team Defensive MVP in 1992 and voted Team Captain of the Centennial Team in 1993.  After college, Gilmore played two seasons in the Canadian Football League with the Calgary Stampeders and the Birmingham Barracudas.
 
A New Orleans native, Gilmore prepped at John F. Kennedy Sr. High where he was a standout defensive back and one of the top high school players in the state. 
 
Gilmore and his wife, Natasha, resides in Los Angeles, CA with their five children: Bryce and Brenton (21), Gabrielle (18), Saxton (13) and Syre (12).