TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Former Florida A&M basketball coach
Mike Gillespie pleaded no contest Tuesday to charges of stalking a
former girlfriend and was sentenced to a year of probation.
The court also ordered Gillespie, who is married, to permanently
stay away from the victim in the case. He will receive counseling
twice monthly during the terms of the plea agreement in addition to
paying court costs.
Leon County Judge Judith Hawkins told Gillespie any violation of
the sanctions could result in jail time.
Attorney Tim Jansen said Gillespie began the counseling the day
after his arrest in May.
Police had said they warned Gillespie in 2005 and again the
night before he was arrested to stay away from the woman. He was
arrested after driving by her workplace the morning after the
latest warning.
Gillespie was fired last month after six seasons at Florida A&M.
Last spring, he guided the team to its first 20-win season since
1988-89 and its second NCAA tournament berth in his tenure.
Gillespie did not comment on his attorney's advice because he
plans legal action against the school.
Florida A&M officials expect to have a replacement by Sept. 15.