Professional Football Player, Coach. After graduating from high school in the coastal town of Ganado, Texas, Gilbert Ervin Steinke went to Texas A&I (now Texas A&M-Kingsville) in 1938 as a two-way halfback. After the war he played with the Philadelphia Eagles from 1945 through 1948. In his four-year NFL playing career he averaged four yards per carry in rushing and scored two touchdowns. In addition to halfback and defensive back duties, he was also a kick and punt returner. At the end of his playing career he embarked on a successful coaching career. He became a Texas football coaching legend at Texas A&I University where he was head coach from 1954 to 1976. He won six national championships in NAIA Division I during his 23-year coaching stint at A&I. He had a career record of 182-61-4, with only two losing seasons. He was an innovative coach and was one of the first coaches to bring integrated football to Texas. He was the school's athletic director from 1977 to 1982. He was head coach of the short-lived USFL's San Antonio Gunslingers in 1984 and 1985. He was named to the NAIA Hall of Fame in 1971, Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 1977, and College Football Hall of Fame after his death in 1996.
Professional Football Player, Coach. After graduating from high school in the coastal town of Ganado, Texas, Gilbert Ervin Steinke went to Texas A&I (now Texas A&M-Kingsville) in 1938 as a two-way halfback. After the war he played with the Philadelphia Eagles from 1945 through 1948. In his four-year NFL playing career he averaged four yards per carry in rushing and scored two touchdowns. In addition to halfback and defensive back duties, he was also a kick and punt returner. At the end of his playing career he embarked on a successful coaching career. He became a Texas football coaching legend at Texas A&I University where he was head coach from 1954 to 1976. He won six national championships in NAIA Division I during his 23-year coaching stint at A&I. He had a career record of 182-61-4, with only two losing seasons. He was an innovative coach and was one of the first coaches to bring integrated football to Texas. He was the school's athletic director from 1977 to 1982. He was head coach of the short-lived USFL's San Antonio Gunslingers in 1984 and 1985. He was named to the NAIA Hall of Fame in 1971, Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 1977, and College Football Hall of Fame after his death in 1996.
Bio by: Mel Bashore
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