Jake Gillum enters his second season as an assistant coach for the Illinois State Track & Field/XC programs. Gillum joined the full-time staff in January 2024 after helping the program as a voluntary assistant. Early into his coaching career, he has proven to be a pivotal asset to Coach Jeff Bovee's staff. Under Gillum's guidance 13 mid-distance/distance athletes have reached top 10 marks in Illinois State history.

Gillum offers years of experience to the Illinois State Track & Field/XC programs after five years of competing as an athlete. His career was defined by success after winning the 2021 Indoor MVC title in the mile and two Indoor MVC titles in the DMR (2019,2022). Gillum also found success in the classroom after earning two master's degrees in Exercise Physiology and Biomechanics and being awarded the 2020 Doug Collins Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year and the 2020-21 Robert G. Bone Scholar awards.