Gerhard Matangani and Simone Eli
8 minutes ago
MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) – A changing of the guard ceremony was held Thursday at the stadium at St. Luke's Episcopal Church. The school held a ceremony to honor outgoing head football coach Ron Lee and introduce the Wildcats' new leader, Joe Gilmore.
Lee is retiring after coaching on the Gulf Coast for nearly 40 years. The Satsuma alumnus spent the past 10 years with the Wildcats, leaving as the school's winningest coach. Lee has led St. Luke's to five of the seven playoff appearances in school history, including his final season in 2023.
“I have come to love this school. Everything we have achieved is “what we have.'' I haven't done anything,” Lee said humbly. “The school is phenomenal. I know we are the smallest school in town, but we have the biggest heart.”
Prior to his time at St. Luke's, Lee also served as head coach at Murphy (2004-2013), Satsuma (1996-2002) and former Grand Bay High School (1993-95).
Incoming coach Joe Gilmore also has deep ties to the Gulf Coast. The St. Paul University graduate worked under Lee for three seasons (2016-2018) as the Wildcats' offensive line coach. For the past five seasons, Gilmore served as the offensive coordinator at Northlake Christian School in Covington, Louisiana. In his first time as a head coach, he is excited to return to the St. Luke's program.
“It feels great. There's no place like home and I'm happy to be back in Mobile,” Gilmore said. “I'm looking forward to this experience and being the head coach. There couldn't have been a better person to hand it over to than Coach (Ron) Lee.”
Gilmore served as a student assistant at the University of South Alabama before transitioning to high school football. His father, Beau, also coaches at Davidson and McGill Toolen.
Lee feels Gilmore has a lot of strengths, both in the locker room and on the field.
“His energy is unbelievable,” Lee said. “When you have that kind of energy and love the game and have a passion for the game, it's contagious. It was really fun for him and I to coach together. , he coaches them strictly, which is a rare quality these days.”
Gilmore and the Wildcats will return to Class 2A Region 1 for the 2024 season.
