Tom Landry Biography: Net Worth, Wife, Age, Instagram, Height, Wikipedia, Children, Death

Thomas Wade Landry was an American professional football coach, player, and World War II veteran, widely regarded as one of the greatest head coaches in NFL history.

He was the inaugural head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, holding the position for 29 seasons. Landry also served in World War II and played as a defensive back and punter before transitioning to coaching.

His innovative approaches, including the “flex defence” and “multiple offences,” revolutionized the football game. Recognizing his remarkable contributions, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990.

Profile

• Full Name: Thomas Wade Landry
• Stage Name: Tom Landry
• Death date:12 February 2000
• Born: 75 years old
• Age: September 11, 1924
• Birthplace: Mission, Texas, U.S
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: American professional football coach, player, and World War II veteran.
• Height: Unknown
• Parent: Ray Landry ,Ruth (Coffman) Landry
• Siblings: Robert Landry, Ruthie Landry, Jack Landry
• Spouse: Alicia Wiggs Landry
• Children: Lisa Childress Landry, Tom Landry Jr., Kitty Landry
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $3 million

Early Life And Education

Thomas Wade Landry was born in Mission, Texas, on September 11, 1924. He was the second of four children to Ray and Ruth (Coffman) Landry.

His father, an auto mechanic and volunteer fireman, had moved to Texas from Illinois due to rheumatism. Ray was also an athlete known for his local achievements as a pitcher and football player.

His siblings included an older brother named Robert, a younger sister called Ruthie, and a younger brother named Jack.

Tom Landry attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he initially studied industrial engineering before serving in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II.

After the war, he returned to the university, played fullback and defensive back, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1949.

He earned a master’s in industrial engineering from the University of Houston in 1952. He was of Cajun descent, and he practised Christianity as his religion.

Career

Tom Landry’s football journey began at Mission High School, where he shined as a quarterback, leading his team to a regional championship.

After high school, Landry attended the University of Texas but interrupted his studies to serve as a B-17 bomber crew member in World War II.

Following the war, he played in the NFL as a defensive back and punter for the New York Yankees and Giants.

In 1954, he became the defensive coordinator for the New York Giants, working alongside offensive coordinator Vince Lombardi. Landry’s innovative strategies helped shape the Giants into one of the league’s top defensive units.

In 1960, Landry took on the challenge of building the Dallas Cowboys from the ground up, becoming the team’s first head coach. The Cowboys faced significant struggles in their first season, finishing with an 0-11-1 record.

However, under Landry’s leadership, the team slowly improved, eventually achieving their first NFL Championship game appearance in 1966.

Over his 29-year coaching career, Landry compiled 270 wins, 178 losses, and six ties, securing 20 consecutive winning seasons from 1966 to 1985.

Landry’s coaching prowess led the Cowboys to five Super Bowl appearances, including victories in Super Bowls VI and XII.

He also won two NFC titles and 13 divisional titles. His impact on the game was immense, as his innovative “flex defense” and “multiple offense” strategies revolutionized football.

Landry’s success earned him numerous accolades, including NFL Coach of the Year honours in 1966 and NFC Coach of the Year honours in 1975.

The Cowboys’ dominance under Landry during the 1970s and 1980s cemented their status as “America’s Team,” though Landry was not fond of the title.

His teams played in 12 NFL or NFC Championship games from 1966 to 1982 and 10 NFC Championship games between 1970 and 1982. Landry’s Cowboys made three Super Bowl appearances in four years between 1975 and 1978 and five in nine years from 1970 to 1978.

Landry faced challenges in the late 1980s despite his success as the team’s performance declined. After a disappointing record in 1986 and again in 1988, Jerry Jones purchased the team and dismissed Landry after nearly three decades of coaching.

Landry’s legacy endures as one of the greatest coaches in NFL history, and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990, recognized for his groundbreaking contributions to the game.

Social Media

Tom Landry does not have any active social media accounts.

Personal Life

Tom Landry married Alicia Wiggs Landry on January 28, 1949, until he died in 2000. They met on a blind date while attending the University of Texas, where Tom was a football star.

The couple had three children: Tom Jr., Kitty, and Lisa. Alicia played a supportive role in Tom’s career and even influenced his iconic fedora choice. Their marriage lasted over 51 years.

Net Worth

Tom Landry’s net worth was around $3 million at the time of his death in 2000.

As the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys from 1960 to 1988, he led the team to two Super Bowl victories and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, leaving a lasting legacy in the NFL.