NFL Power Rankings: 30 Best Coaches of All-Time

7. Tom Landry (1960-1988)

“The Hat” was quite the menacing figure on the Cowboys’ sideline for the better part of three decades. The hat, the suit, the glare. All of it created a caricature which his own players often found intimidating and difficult to wade. Still, Landry was a football coach more than a personality. He took the Xs and Os seriously.

Though not necessarily known as the greatest tactician in NFL history, because he was not particularly innovative, his tactics were a major reason the Cowboys were successful enough to become “America’s Team”. His no-nonsense approach to team building and roster/depth chart management let his players know where they belonged.

Frankly, it is an attribute that some coaches today would probably do well to embrace. The approach worked. In his 29 years, he held a .607 winning percentage with 18 playoff appearances. In those contests he went .556 and won five conference championships and two Super Bowls.

Next: Who was better than Tom Landry?