University of Texas Distinguished Alumni: Tom Landry
Coach Tom Landry led the Dallas Cowboys coach for a remarkable twenty-nine years. During Landry’s reign as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, the team established many of records. One such record is the most consecutive winning seasons – 20 in all – from 1966 to 1985. The Cowboys also won two Super Bowls.
Tom Landry, a Texas native, attended the University of Texas before interrupting his education to serve in the U.S Army Air Forces during World War II. After the war, he returned to UT where he played fullback and defensive back. Landry played in two New Years’ Day bowl games for the Longhorns. From 1949 through 1955, Landry played defensive back for the New York Giants. In just 80 games, Landry had 32 interceptions. In 1956 season, Landry was hired on as the defensive coordinator with the New York Giants. The offensive coordinator for the team was none other than Vince Lombardi. Under the guidance of these two men, the Giants made three NFL Championship appearances.
America’s Team
In 1960, Landry became the first head coach of the newly established franchise Dallas Cowboys – a job he would hold for 29 seasons. The first few years for the Cowboys were rough, but Landry’s hard work and determination slowly paid off. In 1966, the Cowboys made it to their first NFL championship game. That season was the start of 20 consecutive winning seasons. During Tom Landry’s tenure, Dallas won five NFC titles (with two Super Bowl victories) and thirteen Divisional titles. Landry compiled the third most wins of all time for an NFL coach with a 270-178-6 record. His 20 career playoff victories are the most of any coach in NFL history.
Landry brought many new innovations to the game. During his time as the New York Giants defensive coordinator, Tom Landry revolutionized the defensive game with the introduction of the now-popular 4-3 Defense. It featured four down lineman (two ends and two defensive tackles on either side of the offensive center) and three linebackers — middle, left, and right. Landry’s innovation was moving the middle linebacker back two yards. (Previously, a lineman had been placed over the center). Landry also invented and popularized the use of "keys," a system of analyzing offensive tendencies.
Known as a quiet, religious man, Landry took everything in stride and was unfazed by all the hype surrounding Cowboys football and America’s Team. Tom Landry was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame less than two years after his last game. In 1993, Tom Landry was inducted into the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor at Texas Stadium.