Tom Landry Quotes

A collection of quotes by Tom Landry.

Tom Landry was an American professional football player and coach, best known for his remarkable tenure as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys. Born on September 11, 1924, in Mission, Texas, Landry displayed his natural talent for football during his college years at the University of Texas at Austin. After serving as a bomber pilot in World War II, he began his professional career as a player with the New York Giants in 1949, primarily as a defensive back.

However, it was as a coach that Landry truly left his mark on the game. In 1960, he was hired as the first head coach of the newly formed Dallas Cowboys. Over the course of his 29-season tenure, he transformed the Cowboys into one of the most successful franchises in NFL history. Landry's innovative strategies, such as the 4-3 defense and the shotgun formation, revolutionized the game, and under his leadership, the Cowboys became known for their precision, discipline, and iconic navy blue uniforms.

Landry achieved monumental success with the Cowboys, leading the team to five Super Bowl appearances and victories in Super Bowls VI and XII. He compiled an impressive career record of 270 wins, 178 losses, and six ties, making him one of the winningest coaches in NFL history upon his retirement in 1988. Landry's contributions to football were widely recognized, and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990.

Beyond his football career, Landry was admired for his integrity, humility, and strong Christian faith. He passed away on February 12, 2000, leaving a lasting legacy as one of the greatest coaches the sport has ever known.

Leadership is getting someone to do what they don't want to

Leadership is getting someone to do what they don't want to do, to achieve what they want to achieve.

Tom Landry

Leadership

Setting a goal is not the main thing. It is deciding how you

Setting a goal is not the main thing. It is deciding how you will go about achieving it and staying with that plan.

Tom Landry

Football

...even after you've just won the Super Bowl -- especially a

...even after you've just won the Super Bowl -- especially after you've just won the Super Bowl -- there's always next year. If Winning isn't everything; it's the only thing, then the only thing is nothing -- emptiness, the nightmare of life without ultimate meaning.

Tom Landry

Competition

Leadership is a matter of having people look at you and gain

Leadership is a matter of having people look at you and gain confidence, seeing how you react. If you're in control, they're in control.

Tom Landry

Leadership

If you are prepared, you will be confident, and will do the

If you are prepared, you will be confident, and will do the job.

Tom Landry

Planning

When you want to win a game, you have to teach. When you los

When you want to win a game, you have to teach. When you lose a game, you have to learn.

Tom Landry

Competition

I've learned that something constructive comes from every de

I've learned that something constructive comes from every defeat.

Tom Landry

Defeat

A winner never stops trying.

A winner never stops trying.

Tom Landry

Effort

I don't believe in team motivation. I believe in getting a t

I don't believe in team motivation. I believe in getting a team prepared so it knows it will have the necessary confidence when it steps on a field and be prepared to play a good game.

Tom Landry

Teamwork

Football is an incredible game. Sometimes it's so incredible

Football is an incredible game. Sometimes it's so incredible, it's unbelievable.

Tom Landry

Football