Gerald Allen enjoyed a career as one of the state’s most successful high school football coaches, including a 38-year stint at Shelby High School. Allen was head football coach at Shelby for 21 years and coached the Golden Lion track program for 26 seasons. His football teams won 11 conference championships and five Western North Carolina High School Activities Association (WNCHSAA) titles, posting an outstanding 175-49-14 record. He served as head coach of the North Carolina Shrine Bowl team in 1973 and coached in the East-West all-star game in 1970. Active in civic and church activities, Allen served as chairman of the Shelby City Parks and Recreation Board and is a member of the Cleveland County Hall of Fame. He also served on the Board of Directors of the North Carolina High School Athletic Directors Association.