Frank Thomas (American football)
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| Sport(s) | Football |
|---|---|
| Biographical details | |
| Born |
November 15, 1898 Muncie, Indiana |
| Died | May 10, 1954 (aged 55) Tuscaloosa, Alabama |
| Playing career | |
| 1917–1918 | Western State Normal |
| 1920–1922 | Notre Dame |
| Position(s) | Quarterback |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1923–1924 | Georgia (assistant) |
| 1925–1928 | Chattanooga |
| 1929–1930 | Georgia (backfield) |
| 1931–1946 | Alabama |
| Administrative career (AD unless noted) | |
| 1940–1952 | Alabama |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 141–33–9 |
| Bowls | 4–2 |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Championships | |
| 2 National (1934, 1941) 3 SIAA (1926–1928) 4 SEC (1933–1934, 1937, 1945) |
|
| Awards | |
| SEC Coach of the Year (1945) | |
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College Football Hall of Fame Inducted in 1951 (profile) |
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Frank William Thomas (November 15, 1898 – May 10, 1954) was an American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at the University of Chattanooga from 1925 to 1928 and at the University of Alabama from 1931 to 1946, compiling a career college football record of 141–33–9. During his tenure at Alabama, Thomas amassed a record of 115–24–7 and won four Southeastern Conference titles while his teams allowed an average of just 6.3 points per game. Thomas's 1934 Alabama team completed a 10–0 season with a victory over Stanford in the Rose Bowl and was named national champion by a number of selectors.
Thomas's total wins and winning percentage at Alabama rank second all-time among Crimson Tide football coaches, behind only Paul "Bear" Bryant, who Thomas coached in the mid-1930s. Thomas never coached a losing season, and twice his teams had undefeated, 10-win campaigns. Thomas was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1951.
Thomas was born in Muncie, Indiana. His parents, James and Elizabeth Williams Thomas, were recent immigrants from Cardiff, Wales. He was a star athlete in high school.
Thomas played quarterback for coach Knute Rockne at University of Notre Dame from 1920 to 1922. According to Rockne, Thomas was the smartest player he ever coached. Thomas's roommate and best friend at Notre Dame was George "The Gipper" Gipp.
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