Baseball
C.J. Gillman
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
- Email:
- charles.gillman@usafa.edu
- Phone:
- 719-333-7539
Colorado native C.J. Gillman enters his fifth year at Air Force in 2019. Gillman’s responsibilities include working with the catchers, base running and running the offense, in addition to heading the recruiting.
The 2019 season saw the Falcons conclude the season with a 26-26 record, as well as a 12-14 record in MW play. It is the third time in the last four seasons Air Force has finished .500 or above, as well as the fourth season in a row with 12 conference wins. Under Gillman's guidance, four players were named All-Conference in catcher Rob Dau on the first team, and Nic Ready, Ashton Easley, and Jake Gilbert on the second team. Specifically Dau, who learned under Gillman's catching expertise, led the conference in both pickoffs with 14 and runner caught stealing with 24, while maintaining a fielding percentage of .990, which was 12th best in the MW.
With four players honored, it marked the third time in the last four seasons Air Force has had four players earn all-conference accolades, joining the 2016 and 2017 teams. It is also the fourth straight season the Falcons have had at least one player named to the first team, the first time that has happened in program history. Gillman also saw the final chapter of one of his first recruiting classes at the Academy, as the Class of 2019 finished with 107 wins, making them the winningest senior class in Academy history. In addition, 2019 graduate Nic Ready set new program career-best marks in games played (217), at bats (917), hits (300), home runs (50), RBIs (224), and total bases (544). He also finished second in career doubles (76) and third in career runs scored (190). This parlayed Ready into a 23rd round selection in the 2019 MLB Draft by the Miami Marlins.
In 2018, the Air Force program continued its momentum, posting a 24-30 record to record the fourth 20-win season in a row. It is the first time that has happened at Air Force since recording eight straight from 1988-1995. The Falcon offense remain near the top of the national leaders in most offensive categories, ranking in the top 15 in batting average, doubles, scoring, slugging, and triples. They were also one of the most efficient fielding teams, ranking ninth in double plays and 41st in fielding percentage. Gillman helped guide Nic Ready to one of the best single offensive seasons in program history, as he was named third team All-American, the 13th in program history. In addition, he coached two All-MW Conference honorees in Ready and Rob Dau, who were both also named All-Region.
The 2017 season had many highlights for Air Force and continued its dominance as one of the top hitting teams in the country. The Falcons posted a 27-26 season, marking back-to-back seasons over .500 for the first time since 1994-95. Air Force also produced two All-Americans in seniors Adam Groesbeck (3rd team OF) and Bradley Haslam (3rd team 3B), an Academic All-American in senior OF Russell Williams and a MLB Draft Pick in Groesbeck (38th round - Atlanta Braves). Air Force produced four all-conference players, including two first team. The Falcons had a banner year offensively, leading the nation in six offensive categories, including batting average (.344), doubles (153) and slugging (.545). In addition, sophomore catcher Rob Dau led the Mountain West in runner thrown out attempting to steal (24).
The 2016 season was a banner year for the Falcon offense. Air Force led the Mountain West with a .325 team batting average, ranking third in the nation. The Falcons also ranked second in the nation in doubles per game with 2.47. Gillman also helped guide the Mountain West's top hitter in junior 3B/DH, Bradley Haslam, who led the conference with a .408 batting average and set the school record with 95 base hits.
Offensively, Air Force produced a number of award winners in 2016. Junior OF Tyler Jones, who led the MW with 19 home runs and a .694 slugging percentage, earned Louisville Slugger All-American, Second Team honors. Jones also earned All-ABCA Midwest and Mountain West First-Team honors. Freshman 3B/DH Nic Ready earned MW co-Freshman of the Year, NCBWA Freshman All-American, First Team, Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American and All-MW Second team honors. Ready set the school freshman record with 77 hits. In addition, Haslam and outfielder Adam Groesbeck earned ABCA All-Midwest Region. Haslam also earned All-MW First Team honors.
In Gillman’s first year he guided the Falcon offense to a conference-leading 75 stolen bases, after finishing last in the conference in 2014. He was part of the coaching staff that guided the Falcons to a 23-29 record, its winningest season since 2002. Air Force also set a school record with 22 wins against Div. I opponents.
In 2015, Gillman also helped guide Travis Wilkie to a solid freshman campaign. Wilkie ranked amongst the conference top 10 in chances and putouts and was second with 29 runners caught stealing. The 2015 team set school records with a .966 fielding percentage and 678 assists.
Gillman comes to the Academy from the University of Dayton where he was an assistant coach in 2014.
A 2012 graduate of Dayton, Gillman was second-team all-conference in both of his two seasons with the Flyers, leading the team to their first conference tournament championship and NCAA Regional appearance in school history. Gillman is the Dayton season record holder in hits (91) and ranks amongst the top five for single season RBIs, doubles and stolen bases. He graduated with a degree in Leadership.
Upon graduation, Gillman played two years of professional baseball with stints in the Colorado Rockies minor league system and the Windy City Thunderbolts of the Frontier League.
A native of Littleton, Colo., Gillman played high school baseball under the guidance of his father, Chuck Gillman, the head baseball coach at Columbine High School.
Gillman and his wife, Jess, reside in Castle Rock, with their son, Brooks.
The 2019 season saw the Falcons conclude the season with a 26-26 record, as well as a 12-14 record in MW play. It is the third time in the last four seasons Air Force has finished .500 or above, as well as the fourth season in a row with 12 conference wins. Under Gillman's guidance, four players were named All-Conference in catcher Rob Dau on the first team, and Nic Ready, Ashton Easley, and Jake Gilbert on the second team. Specifically Dau, who learned under Gillman's catching expertise, led the conference in both pickoffs with 14 and runner caught stealing with 24, while maintaining a fielding percentage of .990, which was 12th best in the MW.
With four players honored, it marked the third time in the last four seasons Air Force has had four players earn all-conference accolades, joining the 2016 and 2017 teams. It is also the fourth straight season the Falcons have had at least one player named to the first team, the first time that has happened in program history. Gillman also saw the final chapter of one of his first recruiting classes at the Academy, as the Class of 2019 finished with 107 wins, making them the winningest senior class in Academy history. In addition, 2019 graduate Nic Ready set new program career-best marks in games played (217), at bats (917), hits (300), home runs (50), RBIs (224), and total bases (544). He also finished second in career doubles (76) and third in career runs scored (190). This parlayed Ready into a 23rd round selection in the 2019 MLB Draft by the Miami Marlins.
In 2018, the Air Force program continued its momentum, posting a 24-30 record to record the fourth 20-win season in a row. It is the first time that has happened at Air Force since recording eight straight from 1988-1995. The Falcon offense remain near the top of the national leaders in most offensive categories, ranking in the top 15 in batting average, doubles, scoring, slugging, and triples. They were also one of the most efficient fielding teams, ranking ninth in double plays and 41st in fielding percentage. Gillman helped guide Nic Ready to one of the best single offensive seasons in program history, as he was named third team All-American, the 13th in program history. In addition, he coached two All-MW Conference honorees in Ready and Rob Dau, who were both also named All-Region.
The 2017 season had many highlights for Air Force and continued its dominance as one of the top hitting teams in the country. The Falcons posted a 27-26 season, marking back-to-back seasons over .500 for the first time since 1994-95. Air Force also produced two All-Americans in seniors Adam Groesbeck (3rd team OF) and Bradley Haslam (3rd team 3B), an Academic All-American in senior OF Russell Williams and a MLB Draft Pick in Groesbeck (38th round - Atlanta Braves). Air Force produced four all-conference players, including two first team. The Falcons had a banner year offensively, leading the nation in six offensive categories, including batting average (.344), doubles (153) and slugging (.545). In addition, sophomore catcher Rob Dau led the Mountain West in runner thrown out attempting to steal (24).
The 2016 season was a banner year for the Falcon offense. Air Force led the Mountain West with a .325 team batting average, ranking third in the nation. The Falcons also ranked second in the nation in doubles per game with 2.47. Gillman also helped guide the Mountain West's top hitter in junior 3B/DH, Bradley Haslam, who led the conference with a .408 batting average and set the school record with 95 base hits.
Offensively, Air Force produced a number of award winners in 2016. Junior OF Tyler Jones, who led the MW with 19 home runs and a .694 slugging percentage, earned Louisville Slugger All-American, Second Team honors. Jones also earned All-ABCA Midwest and Mountain West First-Team honors. Freshman 3B/DH Nic Ready earned MW co-Freshman of the Year, NCBWA Freshman All-American, First Team, Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American and All-MW Second team honors. Ready set the school freshman record with 77 hits. In addition, Haslam and outfielder Adam Groesbeck earned ABCA All-Midwest Region. Haslam also earned All-MW First Team honors.
In Gillman’s first year he guided the Falcon offense to a conference-leading 75 stolen bases, after finishing last in the conference in 2014. He was part of the coaching staff that guided the Falcons to a 23-29 record, its winningest season since 2002. Air Force also set a school record with 22 wins against Div. I opponents.
In 2015, Gillman also helped guide Travis Wilkie to a solid freshman campaign. Wilkie ranked amongst the conference top 10 in chances and putouts and was second with 29 runners caught stealing. The 2015 team set school records with a .966 fielding percentage and 678 assists.
Gillman comes to the Academy from the University of Dayton where he was an assistant coach in 2014.
A 2012 graduate of Dayton, Gillman was second-team all-conference in both of his two seasons with the Flyers, leading the team to their first conference tournament championship and NCAA Regional appearance in school history. Gillman is the Dayton season record holder in hits (91) and ranks amongst the top five for single season RBIs, doubles and stolen bases. He graduated with a degree in Leadership.
Upon graduation, Gillman played two years of professional baseball with stints in the Colorado Rockies minor league system and the Windy City Thunderbolts of the Frontier League.
A native of Littleton, Colo., Gillman played high school baseball under the guidance of his father, Chuck Gillman, the head baseball coach at Columbine High School.
Gillman and his wife, Jess, reside in Castle Rock, with their son, Brooks.
Falcons win on senior day over New Mexico
Sunday, May 11
Lobos top Falcons to even series
Saturday, May 10
Falcons big 8th inning leads to win over Lobos
Friday, May 09
Falcons fall in series finale to Nevada
Sunday, April 27
