Chena Gilstrap

Claude Robbins "Chena" Gilstrap (July 31, 1914 – August 9, 2002) was an American football coach who coached at Arlington State College—now known as the University of Texas at Arlington for 13 years. He was the ninth head football coach, serving from 1953 to 1965 and compiling a record of 85–40–3. Gilstrap is the only former UTA coach or player inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.

Gilstrap was born on a farm near Granger, on July 31, 1914. He played football for the Granger High School regional championship football team and then followed his older brother, Bully Gilstrap to the University of Texas and played football under Coach Jack Chevigny, but transferred to Shreiner Institute, where his brother was the head football coach, in 1933 before he could letter.

Gilstrap followed his brother into coaching. He was head football coach at Leveretts Chapel High School, Crocket High School, Wharton High School, Cleburne High School, Paris Junior College, Schreiner Institute, and Arlington State College.

In 1950, at Schreiner, he led the team to its most successful season in a decade. He remained at Arlington State as Director of Athletics until 1975, and chairman of the Department of Physical Education until 1978. He was also named Arlington Citizen of the Year in 1957 and later served on the United States Olympic Committee.

He died in 2002 from Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

Head coaching record College

Junior college