David Gilpin was a young, passionate and energetic assistant coach at Mission High School in 2002 with 12 years of experience under his belt when the town’s newest school – Mission Veterans Memorial – first opened and was looking to fill out its staff. 

Gilpin, who graduated from Mission High in 1984 and played for the Eagles, had no intentions of leaving his alma mater. But with two other young Mission graduates – Tommy Lee and Lupe Rodriguez – on the same coaching staff, Gilpin decided he may find a faster track to a head coaching job at Mission Vets. 

He applied for the head job knowing he may not be ready but then made the move over as an assistant under Bucky Rodriguez. When Bucky Rodriguez left two years later after posting a 2-17 record, Gilpin thought he was in a good spot to take over the program and transition into his first head coaching job. 

The principal at the time went as far as telling Gilpin the job was his – but when the school board met, the administration made the decision to open the job up to outside applicants, eventually resulting in the hiring of Carlos Longoria. 

“I was disappointed, but I sat down with him immediately and told him that I wanted the job and didn’t get it,” Gilpin said. “There wasn’t going to be any of that behind the back business – I was there to help us win. Within two days, he let me know he wanted me on his staff. He retained me, and I busted my tail for him for five years.”

Sticking around proved to be the right decision for Gilpin, who emerged as the unquestioned front-runner for the job when Longoria left before the start of the 2009 season. His interview went well and Gilpin, who was in his 18th year of coaching, finally had a chance to build his own program. 

Gilpin’s journey into the coaching world – and rise up its ranks – is a story he uses to inspire his players to this day. After graduating from Mission, Gilpin attended the University of North Texas before returning to his hometown as a coach right out of college. 

He started at the 7th grade ‘B’ team level before working his way up to the varsity staff coaching defensive line under Sonny Detmer in 1993. Gilpin worked for three different head coaches at Mission and two head coaches at Mission Vets before taking over the Patriots’ program. 

“He had the greatest enthusiasm right from the beginning and the kids really liked him,” Detmer said. “I think all of that has stayed the same over the years. He’s just a real enthusiastic guy, a guy who really likes football – he’s done a great job.”