Howard C. Gentry facts for kids
| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 15, 1921 Columbus, Ohio |
| Died | February 14, 1995 (aged 73) Nashville, Tennessee |
| Playing career | |
| c. 1942–1945 | Florida A&M |
| Position(s) | Tackle |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| c. 1947 | North Carolina A&T (assistant) |
| 1948 | Wilberforce State (assistant) |
| 1949–1954 | Tennessee A&I (assistant) |
| 1955–1960 | Tennessee A&I |
| Administrative career (AD unless noted) | |
| 1961–1976 | Tennessee A&I/State |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 42–10–1 |
| Bowls | 1–0 |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Championships | |
| 1 Black college national (1956) 4 MAA (1956–1957, 1959–1960) |
|
Howard Cornelius Gentry Sr. (born April 15, 1921 – died February 14, 1995) was an important American football coach. He was the head football coach at Tennessee A&I State College. This school is now known as Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee. He coached there for six seasons, from 1955 to 1960. During his time, his teams had a great record of 42 wins, 10 losses, and 1 tie. After coaching, Gentry also became the athletic director at Tennessee State from 1961 to 1976.
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Howard Gentry's Early Life and Playing Days
Howard Gentry was born in Columbus, Ohio. Before he became a coach, he was a talented football player. He played college football as a tackle at Florida A&M University. He played under well-known coaches William M. Bell and Jake Gaither.
Gentry's Coaching Journey Begins
Howard Gentry started his coaching career as an assistant. His first coaching job was at North Carolina A&T State University. There, he worked again with coach William M. Bell. After that, he was an assistant coach at Wilberforce State College. This school is now called Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio. He worked there under head coach Gaston F. Lewis.
In 1949, Gentry moved to Tennessee A&I. He became an assistant football coach there. He worked with head coach Henry Kean. These early experiences helped him prepare for his future as a head coach.
Leading the Tennessee A&I Tigers
Howard Gentry became the head coach of the Tennessee A&I Tigers in 1955. He led the team for six successful seasons. His teams were known for their strong performance.
Championship Wins and Achievements
Under Coach Gentry, the Tennessee A&I Tigers achieved great success.
- 1956 National Championship: In 1956, his team had a perfect season. They won all 10 of their games. This amazing record earned them a Black college national championship.
- Midwest Athletic Association Titles: Gentry's teams also won four conference championships. These were in the MAA. They won titles in 1956, 1957, 1959, and 1960.
- Orange Blossom Classic: In 1957, his team played in the Orange Blossom Classic bowl game and won.
His overall coaching record was 42 wins, 10 losses, and 1 tie. This shows how successful he was as a head coach.
Serving as Athletic Director
After his time as head coach, Howard Gentry took on a new role. From 1961 to 1976, he served as the athletic director at Tennessee State. In this role, he managed all the sports programs at the university. He continued to contribute to the success of the school's athletics for many years.
