Assistant Football Coaches

Football Assistant Coaches

Joseph Gillespie

Defensive Coordinator & Linebackers Coach

SIXTH YEAR

Joseph Gillespie is in his second season as defensive coordinator at The University of Tulsa in 2020 . In his sixth year at Tulsa, Gillespie continues to coach linebackers for the Golden Hurricane .

Gillespie was promoted to defensive coordinator on January 3, 2019, following the retirement of Bill Young . Gillespie oversaw a unit last year that had two players — cornerback Reggie Robinson II and defensive end Trevis Gipson — selected in the top five rounds of the NFL draft .

Gillespie came to Tulsa in January 2015 following 20 years as a high school football coach in the state of Texas .

Gillespie helped transition the Hurricane from a base 4-man front to a 3-3-5 alignment in 2018 as Tulsa’s defensive numbers emphatically improved . Tulsa ended the 2018 regular season with the nation’s 8th best pass defense, while allowing opponents 120+ yards less in total offense than a year earlier . The defensive unit continued to show improvement last season, cutting opponents total yardage to under 400 yards per game .

He has been a part of two bowl teams with the Hurricane, including the 2015 Camping World Independence Bowl and the 2016 Miami Beach Bowl .

Before coming to Tulsa, Gillespie spent seven years (2008-14) as the athletic director and head football coach at Stephenville (Texas) High School . His teams compiled a .758 winning percentage with an overall 72-23 record, while winning the district championship three times, sharing the district crown once, advancing to the state playoffs seven times and winning one state championship .

Gillespie earned District Coach of the Year honors four times (2009, 2011, 2012 and 2013) and was the Big Country Coach of the Year for three seasons (2008, 2011 and 2012) .

Before becoming the Stephenville head coach in February 2008, Gillespie served 13 years as an assistant coach at the school . He coached under Art Briles for five years, Texas High School Hall of Honor inductee Mike Copeland for three seasons, and Chad Morris for five years .

As an assistant coach, Gillespie helped lead Stephenville to two state titles, coming in 1998 and 1999 . Gillespie coached linebackers and safeties under Morris and was the co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach under Copeland .

A Stephenville native, Gillespie earned his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from Angelo State University in 1994 .

Gillespie and his wife, Jodi, have three children: sons Josh and Jake, daughter Chelsea and son-in-law, Tyler, and grandson Emmerson .

Jermial Ashley

Defensive Line Coach

SIXTH YEAR

Jermial Ashley is in his sixth season as the Golden Hurricane defensive line coach . He joined the Tulsa coaching staff on January 12, 2015 .

Last year, Ashley tutored a front line that helped the Tulsa defense hold opponents to under 200 yards rushing per game, continuing a consistent move up from previous seasons . End Trevis Gipson ranked among the top-7 in the American Athletic Conference for sacks and tackles for lost yardage, while earning first-team all-conference accolades .

Gipson went on to perform in the Senior Bowl and received an invitation to the NFL Draft Combine . He was selected in the 5th round of the NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears as the 155th overall selection .

In 2018, Ashley helped the Tulsa defense transition from a base 4-man front to a 3-3-5 alignment, thus improving Tulsa’s defensive numbers . The Hurricane finished the 2018 season with the nation’s 8th best pass defense, while allowing opponents 120+ yards less in total offense than a year earlier .

Ashley’s second year with the Hurricane saw the defensive unit production improve significantly in 2016 as Tulsa held its opponents to 10 points and 110 .1 yards fewer than in his first season .

He has been a part of two bowl teams with the Hurricane, including the 2015 Camping World Independence Bowl and the 2016 Miami Beach Bowl .

Before coming to Tulsa, Ashley spent two seasons (2013-14) coaching the defensive line at Trinity Valley Community College in Texas . In his first season, the Cardinal defense led the Southwest Junior College Football Conference (SWJCFC) for total defense, rushing defense, scoring defense and quarterback sacks .

Before his stint at TVCC, Ashley spent three seasons working with the defensive line at Oklahoma State University under the tutelage of defensive coordinator Bill Young .

He has coached in a total of five bowl games, including three with Oklahoma State — the 2010 Alamo Bowl, 2011 Fiesta Bowl and 2012 Heart of Texas Bowl, and two at Tulsa .

A native of Fort Worth, Texas, Ashley attended Keller Fossil Ridge High School, then played two seasons at Tyler Junior College where he was an NJCAA All-America defensive end . He then moved to the University of Kansas to continue his education and playing career . Ashley was a two-year starting defensive end for the Jayhawks, earning all-Big 12 honors in 2004 and 2005 .

Following his playing career, Ashley signed a free agent contract with the Cleveland Browns .

Ashley earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from Kansas in 2008 . He and his wife, Calli, have two daughters, Eliana and Emory, and son Miles .

Carlton Buckels

Safeties Coach

THIRD YEAR

Carlton Buckels is in his third season coaching the Golden Hurricane safeties . He joined The University of Tulsa football coaching staff in March 2018 .

Buckels has 21 years of collegiate coaching experience, all as a defensive secondary coach .

In 2019, Buckels’ two starting safeties, Brandon Johnson and Manny Bunch, ranked third and fourth on the team for tackles and tied for second for pass break-ups .

In his first season at Tulsa, the Hurricane defense completed 2018 with the nation’s 8th best pass defense, holding the opposition to 174 .6 yards per game . Tulsa also led the American Athletic Conference in pass defense and ranked 4th for defensive pass efficiency . One of Buckel’s safeties, McKinley Whitfield, was invited to participate in the College Gridiron Classic for college seniors .

Buckels came to Tulsa following one season as the defensive coordinator and secondary coach at Belhaven University in Jackson, Mississippi .

A native of Louisiana, Buckels played collegiately at LSU and coached high school football in the state, allowing the Hurricane to expand its recruiting blueprint in the state of Louisiana even more .

Buckels received his start in collegiate coaching at his alma mater, LSU, where he served as a graduate assistant under Nick Saban and Gerry Dinardo . He worked with the defense and special teams, while earning his master’s degree in 2001 .

Before beginning his collegiate coaching career, Buckels coached at Hammonds (La .) High School from 1996-99, helping the Tornados to the Class 4A state semifinals in 1996 and 1997 as a defensive assistant coach .

Buckels’ collegiate coaching stops have included Delta State (2001-02), Southeastern Louisiana (2003-04), New Mexico State (2005-07), North Texas (2009-10) and Baylor University (2011-16) . In the summer of 2010, Buckels worked with the NFL’s Oakland Raiders coaching staff as a part of the Bill Walsh Minority Coaching Fellowship Program .

Buckels was a two-time all-state defensive back at Amite (La .) High School before going on to a fouryear career at LSU . A four-year letterman (1989-92), Buckels served as team captain and earned special teams MVP honors in 1991 . He tallied six career interceptions and returned one for a touchdown .

After LSU, he had stints in professional football with the CFL’s Baltimore Stallions and the semi-pro Louisiana Bayou Thunder .

Buckels and his wife, Kyra, have three sons: Justin, Carsyn and Carlon .

Aaron Fletcher Cornerbacks Coach

SIXTH YEAR

Aaron Fletcher is in his sixth season as an assistant coach at The University of Tulsa, where he coaches cornerbacks . He joined the Golden Hurricane coaching staff on January 27, 2015 .

Fletcher has been a part of two bowl teams with the Hurricane, including the 2015 Camping World Independence Bowl and the 2016 Miami Beach Bowl .

In 2019, Tulsa cornerbacks totaled 21 pass breakups, while the Hurricane defense overall ranked 5th in the American Athletic Conference for pass defense . One of Fletcher’s cornerbacks, Reggie Robinson II led the AAC and ranked 6th nationally for passes defended (17), while he was second in the league and 17th in the NCAA for interceptions (4) in the 2019 season .

Robinson earned first-team all-conference honors and went on to play in the Senior Bowl game and received an invitation to the NFL Combine . He became Tulsa’s first NFL draft choice since 2011 and the highest since 2006 when the Dallas Cowboys drafted the hometown talent in the 4th round with the No . 123rd overall selection .

Tulsa’s secondary was vital in the Golden Hurricane defense ending the 2018 season with the nation’s 8th best pass defense, holding the opposition to 174 .6 yards per game . Tulsa also led The American in pass defense and ranked 4th for defensive pass efficiency, as well as 41st nationally, in 2018 . As a whole, the Tulsa defense held opponents to 120+ yards less in total offense than a year earlier .

Before coming to Tulsa, Fletcher spent three years (2012-14) as an assistant coach at Houston Baptist University, where he was part of a coaching staff that instituted the football program at the school .

Previously, Fletcher coached at three Dallas-area High Schools covering 2006 through 2011, including his most recent stop as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator at David W . Carter High School . While there, he coordinated one of the Dallas-Fort Wort Worth Metroplex’s top defenses .

Before that, Fletcher spent time at Desoto and Lancaster High Schools as defensive pass game coordinator and was regarded as the top developer of high school defensive backs in the country .

Fletcher attended Ranger Junior College for two years (1995-96), and as a cornerback earned Team Defensive MVP honors and all-conference accolades . He then moved to Texas A&M-Commerce and started at cornerback .

He received his degree in health education from Texas A&M-Commerce in 2003 .

Fletcher played in the National Indoor Football League for the Austin Knights in 2001 and the Arena Football League with the Laredo Law Football Club in 2004 .

A native of Austin, Texas, Fletcher and his wife, Tanzania, have two daughters: Anaiya and Taylor, and one son, Aaron Jr .

Zach Hanson

Offensive Line Coach

FIRST YEAR

Zach Hanson is in his first season on The University of Tulsa coaching staff . He was appointed offensive line coach in February 2020, coming to the Golden Hurricane following one season at the University of Oklahoma .

As a senior offensive analyst, Hanson helped the Sooners reach the College Football Playoffs in 2019 .

Before his role at Oklahoma, Hanson spent the 2018 season as the tight ends and assistant offensive line coach at his alma mater, Kansas State, under legendary coach Bill Snyder .

Prior to his K-State return, Hanson spent two seasons (2016-17) at North Carolina working as a graduate assistant for special teams . While at UNC, Hanson helped develop some quality special teams units as the Tar Heels led the nation in punt coverage in 2016, allowing opponents to return nine punts for just two yards . Carolina also finished the season ranked second in the nation in kickoff return average (26 .97) .

Hanson spent the previous four seasons (2012-15) at K-State, including the final three as an offensive graduate assistant . He served as K-State’s offensive quality control coach in 2012 . After working with the offensive line for his first three seasons on staff, Hanson spent the fourth working with K-State’s wide receivers .

Hanson, who played in 37 games for the Wildcats as an offensive tackle from 2009-11, earned 2011 firstteam All-Big 12 and second-team Academic All-Big 12 accolades . He started at left tackle for the Wildcats in 2011, helping K-State earn a 10-3 record and an appearance in the AT&T Cotton Bowl . Hanson also started several games in 2010, playing significant time while rotating between left and right tackle throughout the season en route to earning honorable mention All-Big 12 merits .

A native of Linden, California, Hanson originally signed with Nevada out of high school but opted to attend Sacramento City College prior to K-State . He obtained a degree in social sciences from Kansas State in 2010 and earned his master’s degree in sociology in 2014 .

His wife, Annie, is the assistant athletic director for recruiting strategy & administrative engagement for football at Oklahoma .

Justin Hill

Running Backs Coach

SIXTH YEAR

Justin Hill is in his sixth season at The University of Tulsa after joining the Golden Hurricane football coaching staff on January 9, 2014 as running backs coach .

During Hill’s tenure, Tulsa running backs have totaled 47 100-yard rushing games and has had five games surpassing 200 yards on the ground . As a team, the Hurricane has rushed for over 300 yards in 13 games over the past five seasons, while his running backs have earned four all-conference honors .

Tulsa’s run game ranked among the nation’s top15 in 2016 and 2017 . The Hurricane averaged 261 .7 yards to rank eighth nationally in 2016 and was the NCAA’s 14th best running team in 2017 with 247 .3 yards per game . Tulsa set a school record in 2016 with eight 300+ rushing games . In the 2018 season, Tulsa’s run game ranked 35th nationally .

Hill has tutored four players — James Flanders, D’Angelo Brewer, Shamari Brooks and Corey Taylor II — who have gained over 1,000 career rushing yards, while Brewer and Flanders hold two of the top-5 spots on the schools’ career rushing chart and also three of the top-5 single-season rushing outputs .

In 2016, Flanders and Brewer each surpassed 1,000 yards for the season, becoming just the second pair of running backs in Tulsa history to reach 1,000 yards in a single-season and only the 72nd pair in NCAA DI/FBS history . A senior, Flanders became the school’s single season rushing leader with 1,629 yards in 2016 . A year later, Brewer became The American’s and Tulsa’s all-time rushing leader when he reached 3,917 career yards .

Hill has been involved in seven bowl games as a player and coach, including helping Tulsa reach the 2015 Camping World Independence Bowl and 2016 Miami Beach Bowl .

Hill came to Tulsa from Baylor University, where he spent three seasons as the associate director of athletic performance for the football team . Before his stint at Baylor, Hill spent one season at Iowa State as a graduate assistant coach .

A 2011 graduate of Rice University, Hill began his collegiate career as a running back in 2007, but moved to linebacker a year later . In three seasons on defense, Hill collected 97 tackles, six pass break-ups and forced three fumbles .

Hill was elected a Rice co-captain for his senior season (2010) and finished that year as the Jess Nealy Award winner, an honor given to the Owls’ top linebacker .

Hill was selected to the AFCA Under-30 Coaches’ Leadership in 2017 .

A native of Denton, Texas, Hill earned his bachelor’s degree in 2011 from Rice in sociology . He also received his master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies in 2015 from Iowa State .

Hill and his wife, Dana, have one daughter: Avery .

Calvin Lowry

Receivers & Special Teams Coach

SIXTH YEAR

Calvin Lowry is in his sixth season coaching the Golden Hurricane receivers and also coaches special teams . A three-year NFL veteran, Lowry joined The University of Tulsa football coaching staff on January 2, 2015 .

He has been a part of two bowl teams with the Hurricane, including the 2015 Camping World Independence Bowl and the 2016 Miami Beach Bowl .

In his tenure, Lowry has had five Hurricane five receivers surpass 1,000 yards in a single season . In his first three years, Lowry tutored three receivers — Keevan Lucas, Keyarris Garrett and Josh Atkinson — who completed their careers ranked among the top-7 receiving leaders in school history . Lucas and Garrett each surpassed 3,000 yards in their careers, while Atkinson had 2,600+ receiving yards .

In 2015, Garrett was the nation’s leading receiver with 1,588 yards for a 122 .2-yard average per game, while Lucas and Atkinson each ranked among the top-35 nationally in 2016 .

Last year, Keylon Stokes became the fifth 1,000yard receiver in a season under Lowry when the junior hauled in 62 passes for 1,040 yards .

Before coming to Tulsa, Lowry spent three seasons at Baylor University, including two years as an assistant director of operations and one as a graduate assistant coach . He worked with Baylor’s offense and special teams in that one season .

Previously, Lowry spent one season at St . Andrew’s Episcopal High School in Austin, Texas, where he coached wide receivers, secondary and special teams in 2011 .

A former All-Big Ten safety, Lowry spent three full seasons in the NFL, where he played special teams and safety for the Tennessee Titans (2006 and 2007), Denver Broncos (2008) and Jacksonville Jaguars (2008) . He also spent the 2009 training camp with the Detroit Lions . Lowry was a fourth-round draft pick of the Titans in 2006 . He played in 43 games and totaled 86 tackles, 13 pass deflections and started 14 games in his NFL career .

A four-year letterman and starter at Penn State, Lowry was a first-team All-Big Ten safety in 2005 as a senior after collecting 79 tackles and four interceptions .

Lowry was a four-year standout at Douglas Byrd High School in Fayetteville, N .C ., as a wide receiver and defensive back . A native of Fort Hood, Texas, Lowry called Fayetteville home from age 3 through college .

Lowry received his bachelor’s degree in Crime, Law and Justice from Penn State University in 2007 .

He and his wife, Annie, have two sons: Calvin Jr . and Klay .

Jordan Najvar

Tight Ends Coach

FIFTH YEAR

Jordan Najvar is in his fifth year on the Tulsa coaching staff and his third coaching the tight ends . He came to Tulsa in January 2016 and spent his first two seasons as an offensive quality control coach .

Najvar was promoted to Golden Hurricane tight ends coach in February 2018 .

The Tulsa offense set a school record with eight 300+ rushing games in 2016, and also ranked among the nation’s top-10 for total offense (4th), scoring (7th) and rushing (8th) . In 2017, the Tulsa offense was 14th in the nation for rushing and ranked 44th for total offense, while in 2018 the Hurricane had the nation’s 35th best rushing offense .

Under his tutelage, 20-percent of receptions by Tulsa tight ends have gone for touchdowns over the last two seasons .

Najvar has been involved in six bowl games, including five as a player and one as a coach, which came in the 2016 Miami Beach Bowl with the Hurricane .

Najvar came to Tulsa after playing professionally for two seasons . He was an undrafted free agent signee in 2014 with the Dallas Cowboys, where he spent one year . He also spent a portion of the 2015 season with the Brooklyn Bolts of the FXFL Developmental League .

Najvar was a three-year starting tight end at the University of Baylor (2011-13) . He was a threetime all-Big 12 honorable mention selection with the Bears . Najvar transferred to Baylor in 2010 from Stanford University, where he spent a redshirt season in 2009 .

At Baylor, Najvar played in 38 games and totaled 35 receptions for 311 yards and four touchdowns . He played his prep football at Klein Oak High School in Spring, Texas, where he was an Under Armour All-American .

Najvar earned his degree from Baylor in distribution management technology in May 2013 .

His wife’s name is Holly .

Luke Olson

Nickel Safeties Coach

NINTH YEAR

Luke Olson is in his ninth year on the Tulsa football coaching staff and his second as a full-time assistant coach . Olson coaches the nickel safeties after being promoted to the position in February 2019 .

At Tulsa, Olson served as a graduate assistant coach for three seasons and four years as a defensive quality control coach . Tulsa has reached a bowl game three times during his tenure as a coaching staff member, including the 2012 AutoZone Liberty Bowl, 2015 Camping World Independence Bowl and the 2016 Miami Beach Bowl .

Olson was part of the 2018 coaching staff that saw its defense transition from a base 4-man front to a 3-3-5 alignment . The Hurricane finished the season with the nation’s 8th best pass defense, while also allowing opponents 120+ yards less in total offense than a year earlier .

In 2016, the Tulsa defense held opponents to 10 points and 110 .1 yards fewer than in the 2015 season . Tulsa’s defense also forced 21 turnovers with 15 of those takeaways leading to 101 points in the 2016 campaign .

Previously, Olson served as a graduate assistant coach for two seasons (2013-14), helping coach the defensive backs . Before that, he assisted coaching the defensive line as a graduate assistant in 2012 .

During his coaching tenure at Tulsa, Olson has been involved in every aspect of helping prepare the Tulsa defense from directing the offensive scout team, film break down, defensive signal-calling, coaching the STAR linebacker and the nickel safety positions, as well as other responsibilities .

When Olson helped coach the Tulsa defensive line in 2012, the Hurricane defense ranked among the nation’s leaders for quarterback sacks, while defensive linemen totaled 32 of 53 team sacks for -205 yards . The Hurricane won the 2012 Conference USA Championship and AutoZone Liberty Bowl .

Before coming to Tulsa, Olson was a four-year starter (2008-11) at Southern Nazarene University, where he played free safety and linebacker . Olson was an Academic all-Central States Football League (CSFL) selection each year, while earning all-conference accolades in 2009 .

Olson earned his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from Southern Nazarene in 2012, while receiving a master’s degree in May 2014 from Tulsa in Methods in Educational Research .

Olson played prep football at Tulsa’s Union High School .

He and his wife, Keisha, have two sons: Lane and Wells .