- Landry, Thomas Wade
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▪ 2001“Tom”American football coach (b. Sept. 11, 1924, Mission, Texas—d. Feb. 12, 2000, Dallas, Texas), coached the Dallas Cowboys from 1960 to 1989, leading the team to 20 postseason victories—the most in National Football League (NFL) history—five Super Bowl appearances, and two Super Bowl wins (1972, 1978). He began his NFL coaching career after having played six seasons (1950–55) as a defensive back and punter for the New York Giants. He served as the Giants' defensive coordinator from 1956 to 1959 before becoming head coach at Dallas. A stoic man who was famous for pacing the sidelines in a business suit and fedora, Landry was also one of professional football's greatest innovators. He was responsible for inventing two defenses (the 4-3 and the flex) as well as for reviving the shotgun offensive formation. His 270 career victories were the third most in NFL history. After the end of the 1988–89 season, Cowboys fans were shocked when businessman Jerry Jones bought the team and fired Landry the same day. To honour the coach, the city of Dallas later sponsored a Hats Off to Tom Landry Day, an event that attracted some 100,000 people. Landry was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990.
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Universalium. 2010.