Frank W. Thomas: Difference between revisions
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'''Frank W. Thomas''' (born [[November 15]], [[1898]] in Muncie, Indiana | '''Frank W. Thomas''' (born [[November 15]], [[1898]] in Muncie, Indiana; died [[May 10]], [[1954]] in [[Tuscaloosa]]) was the head football coach of the [[University of Alabama]] from [[1932]] to [[1946]]. During his tenure, he compiled a 115-24-7 (.812) record and won two national championships ([[1934]] and [[1941]]). His winning percentage ranks second all-time among Alabama coaches (behind [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]). He never coached a losing season, but coached two 10 win seasons. In [[1945]], his team scored 50 or more points in four straight games at the end of the regular season. | ||
Thomas played quarterback for Knute Rockne at Notre Dame from 1920 to 1922. He was, according to Rockne, the smartest player he ever coached. His roommate and best friend at Notre Dame was the famous George "The Gipper" Gipp. | Thomas played quarterback for Knute Rockne at Notre Dame from 1920 to 1922. He was, according to Rockne, the smartest player he ever coached. His roommate and best friend at Notre Dame was the famous George "The Gipper" Gipp. | ||
After graduating, Thomas became an assistant coach at the University of Georgia for two years before earning his first head coaching job in 1925 at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where he went 26-9-2. In 1931 he accepted the job at Alabama, where he established himself as one of the top coaches in the nation. His bowl record at Alabama was 501, with wins at the Rose Bowl (1931, 1935, 1946), | After graduating, Thomas became an assistant coach at the University of Georgia for two years before earning his first head coaching job in 1925 at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where he went 26-9-2. In 1931 he accepted the job at Alabama, where he established himself as one of the top coaches in the nation. His bowl record at Alabama was 501, with wins at the Rose Bowl (1931, 1935, 1946), Cotton Bowl (1942), Orange Bowl (1943), and Sugar Bowl (1945). He became the coach and mentor for future Hall of Fame coach [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]. Other notable players included [[Don Hutson]], [[Vaughn Mancha]], [[Harry Gilmer]], [[Johnny Cain]], and [[Riley Smith]]. | ||
Declining health forced his resignation from coaching in [[1946]], but he remained Alabama's Athletic Director. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1951. | Declining health forced his resignation from coaching in [[1946]], but he remained Alabama's Athletic Director. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1951. | ||
Thomas died in 1954 at the age of 55 at [[Druid City Hospital]] in [[Tuscaloosa]]. An illustrated book published later that year told his story. The football practice fields at the University of Alabama are named for Thomas and his successor [[Red Drew]]. In [[1969]], Thomas was a charter inductee of the [[Alabama Sports Hall of Fame]]. | Thomas died in 1954 at the age of 55 at [[Druid City Hospital]] in [[Tuscaloosa]]. An illustrated book published later that year told his story. The football practice fields at the University of Alabama are named for Thomas and his successor [[Red Drew]]. A statue of Thomas sits outside [[Bryant-Denny Stadium]], along with the other Crimson Tide coaches who led their teams to National Championships ([[Wallace Wade]], [[Bear Bryant]], and [[Gene Stallings]]). In [[1969]], Thomas was a charter inductee of the [[Alabama Sports Hall of Fame]]. | ||
{{start box}} | {{start box}} | ||
{{succession box | title=[[Alabama Crimson Tide|University of Alabama Head Football Coach]] | before=[[Wallace | {{succession box | title=[[Alabama Crimson Tide|University of Alabama Head Football Coach]] | before=[[Wallace Wade]] | years=[[1931]]–[[1946]]| after=[[Red Drew|Harold D. Drew]]}} | ||
{{end box}} | {{end box}} | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
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* [http://www.collegefootball.org/famersearch.php?id=30012 Frank Thomas] at the College Football Hall of Fame. | * [http://www.collegefootball.org/famersearch.php?id=30012 Frank Thomas] at the College Football Hall of Fame. | ||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Thomas, Frank}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Thomas, Frank W.}} | ||
[[Category:1898 births]] | [[Category:1898 births]] | ||
[[Category:1954 deaths]] | [[Category:1954 deaths]] | ||
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[[Category:Football coaches]] | [[Category:Football coaches]] | ||
[[Category:Alabama Sports Hall of Fame]] | [[Category:Alabama Sports Hall of Fame]] | ||
[[Category:College Football Hall of Fame]] | |||
Latest revision as of 13:05, 9 October 2018
Frank W. Thomas (born November 15, 1898 in Muncie, Indiana; died May 10, 1954 in Tuscaloosa) was the head football coach of the University of Alabama from 1932 to 1946. During his tenure, he compiled a 115-24-7 (.812) record and won two national championships (1934 and 1941). His winning percentage ranks second all-time among Alabama coaches (behind Paul "Bear" Bryant). He never coached a losing season, but coached two 10 win seasons. In 1945, his team scored 50 or more points in four straight games at the end of the regular season.
Thomas played quarterback for Knute Rockne at Notre Dame from 1920 to 1922. He was, according to Rockne, the smartest player he ever coached. His roommate and best friend at Notre Dame was the famous George "The Gipper" Gipp.
After graduating, Thomas became an assistant coach at the University of Georgia for two years before earning his first head coaching job in 1925 at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where he went 26-9-2. In 1931 he accepted the job at Alabama, where he established himself as one of the top coaches in the nation. His bowl record at Alabama was 501, with wins at the Rose Bowl (1931, 1935, 1946), Cotton Bowl (1942), Orange Bowl (1943), and Sugar Bowl (1945). He became the coach and mentor for future Hall of Fame coach Paul "Bear" Bryant. Other notable players included Don Hutson, Vaughn Mancha, Harry Gilmer, Johnny Cain, and Riley Smith.
Declining health forced his resignation from coaching in 1946, but he remained Alabama's Athletic Director. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1951.
Thomas died in 1954 at the age of 55 at Druid City Hospital in Tuscaloosa. An illustrated book published later that year told his story. The football practice fields at the University of Alabama are named for Thomas and his successor Red Drew. A statue of Thomas sits outside Bryant-Denny Stadium, along with the other Crimson Tide coaches who led their teams to National Championships (Wallace Wade, Bear Bryant, and Gene Stallings). In 1969, Thomas was a charter inductee of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.
| Preceded by: Wallace Wade |
University of Alabama Head Football Coach 1931–1946 |
Succeeded by: Harold D. Drew |
References
- Frank Thomas (football coach)[1]. (2008, January 28). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 17:53, March 11, 2008.
- Stone, Naylor (1954) Coach Tommy of the Crimson Tide. Birmingham, Ala.: Vulcan Press.
External links
- Frank Thomas at the College Football Hall of Fame.