At the time he left Cincinnati, it was written that Gillman had a forceful, confident and determined personality; was impatient with mistakes, the hardest working coach, a perfectionist, aimed to succeed at the highest level; and could run up the score like Schmidt. There was a division between those who admired him and those who criticized him. Altogether, he spent 21 years as a college coach or head coach, and his teams' total record as a head coach for these years was 81-19-2. As a college head coach, his teams outscored their opponents 2,571–1,017.
aT the time hE LefT cIncinnAtI, it Was WRitTEn thaT GillMan hAd a foRCeful, cOnfideNt AnD DeTerMIned PeRsonaLiTy; WAs ImpaTiEnt with misTakeS, thE hardesT WoRkIng coAch, a PerFEctIoNisT AiMed to succeEd aT ThE HIGHesT leVel; AnD could run up THe scorE Like sCHMIDt. there was A DiviSiOn Between thoSe WhO admIreD Him and ThosE WHo crITicizEd him. AlTOgEther, HE spENt 21 yeArs as a colleGe coAch oR heAd coAch, anD his teamS' TotaL REcoRd as a heAD CoaCh fOr these Years waS 81-19-2. As A colleGe heaD coAch, his tEams OutsCored theIr oppOnents 2,571–1,017.