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Frank Thomas (American football)

Frank Thomas
Frank Thomas (American football).jpg
Sport(s) Football
Biographical details
Born (1898-11-15)November 15, 1898
Muncie, Indiana
Died May 10, 1954(1954-05-10) (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)
College Football Hall of Fame
Inducted in 1951 (profile)

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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