Landry

coordinator for the Giants, helping the Giants make the NFL Championship three times

In 1960, the new Dallas Cowboys hired Landry as their first head coach The team struggled in the first years, but made a major breakthrough in 1966, winning ten games and appearing in the NFL Championship The Cowboys won their division for the next six straight seasons coordinator for the Giants, helping the Giants make the NFL Championship three times.

The Cowboys reached their peak under Landry in the 1970s. In 1972, they won Super Bowl VI, walloping the Miami Dolphins

The team had a winning record each season of the decade and only failed to make the playoffs in 1974 Additionally, the team won the NFC East division seven times during the decade In 1978, Landry led the Cowboys to their second championship, defeating the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XII

The 1980s were not as successful, but the team went to the playoffs five times and won the division twice. However, in his last three seasons as coach, the Cowboys finished with losing records for the season, the first since 1964. Team owner Bum Bright sold the team to Jerry Jones in 1989, and Jones immediately fired Landry The move shocked Cowboys fans, who rallied to Landry’s defense, to no avail Due to that support and years as a championship coach, in 1990, Landry was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

As famous as he became for his success as a coach, he was instantly recognizable for dressing up every game in a suit, tie, and fedora His modesty, faith, and determination won throngs of admirers For decades, he was an active member of Highland Park United Methodist Church, even teaching Sunday School on Cowboys home game days.

As coach, he developed a reputation for efficiency, preparation, and training He was the first to use specialty coaches for speed and weight training and for examining opponents for strength and weaknesses in upcoming Cowboys games

In 29 seasons as coach, the

Cowboys won their division thirteen times and went to the Super Bowl five times With 250 wins, Landry ranks third on the NFL alltime list, behind Miami’s Don Shula and Chicago’s George Halas He was twice named NFL coach of the Year In 1993, when he was inducted into the Ring of Honor along with all the other team legends after leaving the Cowboys, an image of the hat was placed next to his name.

In his last years, he suffered leukemia. Landry died in February 2000, revered by football fans across the world. Two Texas schools named their football stadiums in Landry’s honor as well as Tom Landry Elementary School in Irving

Dr. Bridges is a Texas native, writer, and history professor. He can be reached at drkenbridges@gmail.com.