Carl O. "Bill" Gentry
Carl O. "Bill" Gentry was born in Slaton, Texas in 1926. Following graduation from Slaton High School, he served in the United States Navy during World War II. After his service in the Navy, Bill attended Coffeyville Junior College in Coffeyville, Kansas for two years. He then attended the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, from which he graduated with B.S. and M.S. degrees. In 1958, Bill became the head football coach at Highland High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico. After 31 years at Highland, Bill left Highland to become the head football coach at Eldorado High School in Albuquerque, before the 1989 season. Bill spent seven years at Eldorado, before retiring after the 1995 season. In almost four decades as a head coach, Bill’s overall record was 305-102-5. His teams averaged winning eight games per year for 38 years. His teams appeared in the state finals 10 times, winning the New Mexico state championship three times. In recognition of his extraordinary accomplishments, Coach Gentry was named National High School Football Coach of the Year in 1994 by the National High School Athletic Coaches Association. He has also been inducted into the National High School Hall of Fame, the Albuquerque Sports Hall of Fame, the New Mexico High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Honor, and the University of New Mexico Lobo Hall of Honor. Currently, Bill lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with his wife of more than five decades, Mary. In his leisure time, Bill likes walking, camping, trout fishing, and bird hunting.
