Gerald Winnard began his coaching career in 1979 at Plainview High School in Ardmore and led his team to a third-place finish at the Oklahoma state tournament in 1981. He then coached at Davis High School and later became head coach at Ardmore High School. Winnard led Ardmore to a third-place finish at the Oklahoma state tournament in 2002 and coached four state champions, two state runners-up, multiple state-placers and 14 state qualifiers. He was named Oklahoma Coaches Association Regional Coach of the Year and twice coached the Oklahoma Senior National team. Winnard also worked as a referee for 10 years. On the mat, he was a two-time Oklahoma state high school champion for U.S. Grant High School, going 30-0 and being named Outstanding Wrestler of the state tournament in 1967. He was a Big Eight champion for Oklahoma State and helped the Cowboys win NCAA titles in 1968 and 1971. Winnard’s brother, Larry, received the Lifetime Service to Wrestling award in 2009.