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Chena Gilstrap

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Chena Gilstrap
Biographical details
Born(1914-07-31)July 31, 1914
Granger, Texas, U.S.
DiedAugust 9, 2002(2002-08-09) (aged 88)
Palo Alto, California, U.S.
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1948–1949Paris
1950–1952Schreiner
1953–1965Arlington State
Administrative career (AD unless noted)
1952–1975Arlington State / Texas–Arlington
Head coaching record
Overall34–24 (college)
80–30–3 (junior college)
Bowls2–1 (junior college)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
3 Pioneer Conference (1953, 1956–1957)

Claude Robbins "Chena" Gilstrap (July 31, 1914 – August 9, 2002) was an American football coach. He was the ninth head football coach at Arlington State College—now known as the University of Texas at Arlington—serving for 13 seasons, from 1953 to 1965, compiling a record of 85–40–3.[1] This ranks him first at UT Arlington in total wins and second at UT Arlington in winning percentage.[2] The school discontinued its football team after completion of the 1985 season.[3]

Gilstrap is only former UTA coach or player inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame. He was athletic director and head football coach from 1952 to 1965 and remained as athletic director until 1975. His teams won consecutive Junior Rose Bowl games in Pasadena beginning in 1956.[2] The 1957 Arlington State Rebels football team was undefeated and ranked No. 1 nationally among junior colleges. Gilstrap guided UTA from junior college status to a four-year program in 1959. He died in 2002; he had been suffering from Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

Head coaching record

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College

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Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
Arlington State Rebels (NCAA College Division independent) (1959–1965)
1959 Arlington State 4–3
1960 Arlington State 9–2
1961 Arlington State 7–3
1962 Arlington State 4–6
1963 Arlington State 1–8
Arlington State Rebels (Southland Conference) (1964–1965)
1964 Arlington State 3–6–1 0–3–1 5th
1965 Arlington State 6–3 2–2 T–2nd
Arlington State: 34–24 2–5–1
Total: 34–24

Junior college

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Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
Paris Dragons (Southwestern Junior College Conference) (1948–1949)
1948 Paris 8–3 5–2 T–2nd L Oleander Bowl
1949 Paris 3–7 2–5 6th
Paris: 11–10 7–7
Schreiner Mountaineers (Pioneer Conference) (1950–1952)
1950 Schreiner 7–3 1–2 3rd
1950 Schreiner 6–4 2–2 2nd
1952 Schreiner 5–4–1 2–2 T–2nd
Schreiner: 18–11–1 5–6
Arlington State Rebels (Pioneer Conference) (1953–1958)
1953 Arlington State 8–1 4–0 1st
1954 Arlington State 8–2 2–2 T–3rd
1955 Arlington State 7–3 3–1 2nd
1956 Arlington State 9–1–1 3–1 T–1st W Junior Rose Bowl
1957 Arlington State 12–0 4–0 1st W Junior Rose Bowl
1958 Arlington State 7–2–1 4–1–1 T–2nd
Arlington State: 51–9–2 20–5–1
Total: 80–30–3
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

References

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  1. ^ "UTA Magazine Online".
  2. ^ a b UTA Magazine Online, Legendary Coach and Athletic Director Dies Archived December 30, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ Garcia, Art (July 15, 2011). "Joining the WAC is first big step-UTA's move to higher profile conference would be enhanced with addition of football". ESPN.com. Retrieved April 22, 2012.
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