NFL head coaches Mount Rushmore of the Super Bowl era
By Erik Lambert
Tom Landry (Dallas Cowboys)
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Remember. It can’t just be about how many rings a coach has. One has to look beyond the jewelry. It must also be about what that coach contributed to the game of football itself. Tom Landry wasn’t just a great coach who won a lot of games. He also helped to transform and evolve the NFL with an endless string of innovations along the way.
He was the mastermind behind the 4-3 defense which is still widely in use today. In addition, he was the first to discover ways to determine offensive keys that made it easier to get stops. His draft philosophies were also ahead of their times. He prioritized size on the offensive line but athleticism and length on the defensive side.
He recruited players from professions outside of football including track and field star Bob Hayes who became a Hall of Fame wide receiver. The heavy employ of the shotgun and shifting formations were also spearheaded by him.
Then you throw in the fact he had 20-straight winning seasons that included five Super Bowl trips and two Lombardi trophies? The man contributed so much to the game of football along with being an all-time great head coach.