Tom Landry - The Innovator

The list of Landry's innovations is long and impressive and what he considered most important to his legacy. In Dallas, he created the umbrella-like flex defense, began using computers, reintroduced the shotgun formation and popularized situational substitutions. His command of the X's and O's of the game was matched only by his ability to keep a cool distance from his players. Landry's philosophy was that a coach shouldn't get too close to his players because then he would no longer be able to command the respect and authority needed to be successful. As a result, his players regarded him as something like a father figure and tried hard not to disappoint him. His need for control was so overwhelming that he refused to stay off the field one particular Monday night, when told there was a gunman in the stands that had threatened his life.