Thursday, 21 November 2024

Tom Landry

Contest: The US Athletic Hall of Fame - Coaches 2024
Embed from Getty Images
Sport(s): Football
Statistics: 2 Super Bowls (VI & XII)
1 NFL Championship (1956) (as a defensive coordinator)
AP Coach of the Year (1960)
250-162-6 NFL Record
20-16 NFL Postseason Record
Named to the NFL 100th Anniversary Team
Member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Member of the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor

*1 First Team All-Pro Selection (1954)
*1 Pro Bowl (1954)

*As a player
Playing six years in pro football, Tom Landry's transition to coaching brought us one of the most technical minds ever to grace the defensive side of football.

While still playing for the New York Giants, Landry was already working on defensive schemes that were incorporated by the G-Men. Officially an assistant coach in 1954, Landry's playing career ended a year later, and along with offensive guru Vince Lombardi, the Giants had two future Hall of Fame coaches on their hands.

Landry’s mind came up with the 4-3 defense, a staple now of all NFL teams but utterly foreign at the time. When the NFL expanded to Dallas, Landry was tapped as their first head coach, and he brought unique defensive schemes there, such as the flex defense, which focused on space and not an opponent.

Under Landry, the Dallas Cowboys became "America's Team," going to five Super Bowls and winning two (VI & XII). Landry and his signature fedora became a part of the national fabric as any coach in sports.

Landry, who was the Cowboys’ first head coach, was relieved of duty by the new owner, Jerry Jones, in 1988, ending his career with an even 250 wins. It was an abrupt departure and unbecoming of a man of Landry's status, but fences were mended, and he was enshrined in their Ring of Honor in 1993.

We are proud to nominate Tom Landry for the United States Athletic Hall of Fame.

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