Dear Editor,

Richard Gilliam is loved by all here in Montevallo. I have never heard one person say anything bad about him. His players adored him even after he punished them. I think one of the nicest compliments, about me as a coach, was when someone from the community told me that “I kind of reminded them of Coach Gilliam.”

I think, as a coach, that is one of nicest things anyone could say to me personally. I have never wanted to be the next Pat Summitt or Geno Auriemma, I just wanted to be like Coach Gilliam.

Coach Gilliam was my mentor and when put in tough decision-making times I would often ask myself what he would do. Coach Gilliam would have wanted me to ask “what would Jesus do.” He is truly going to be missed by all.