Tom Fears
Coaching Record
| Years Coached | Record | Win % | Playoff record | Playoff win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 81-96-8 | 45.95% | 3-0 | 100.00% |
Coaching Tree
Parents:
Norb Hecker, Vince Lombardi, Bob Waterfield
Children:
Ed Biles, Ed Khayat, J.D. Roberts
Biography
Career Summary
Tom Fears was a football coach in the National Football League (NFL) from 1959 to 1972, finishing his career as the offensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles. Over his fourteen years of coaching his teams compiled a cumulative win/loss record of 82-102-8. He was the head coach of the New Orleans Saints from 1967 until the 1970 season, during which time the Saints went 14-40-2. During his career he was a head coach for four seasons. He was fired from the Saints on Tuesday, November 3, 1970. Fears was replaced in the middle of the 1970 season after starting the season 1-5-1.
Fears was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1970 after his playing career.
Tom Fears Coaching Tree
Before he was a head coach, Fears served as an assistant coach for Vince Lombardi, Bob Waterfield, Norb Hecker, Jerry Williams, and Ed Khayat. Five of these years were spent on Lombardi's coaching staff. During his time as head coach, three assistant coaches, (Ed Khayat, J.D. Roberts, and Ed Biles) on his coaching staff were hired as head coaches across the league. His coaching tree has combined for a record of 18-61-4 in the regular season and 0-0 in the playoffs during their six seasons as head coach after serving on his coaching staffs.
Personal Information
Fears was born on Sunday, December 3, 1922. He died on Tuesday, January 4, 2000 at the age of 77.
History
| Year | Position | Record | Playoff record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 Philadelphia Eagles | Offensive Coordinator | 2-11-1 | 0-0 |
| 1971 Philadelphia Eagles | Offensive Coordinator | 6-7-1 | 0-0 |
| 1970 New Orleans Saints | Head Coach | 1-5-1 | 0-0 |
| 1969 New Orleans Saints | Head Coach | 5-9-0 | 0-0 |
| 1968 New Orleans Saints | Head Coach | 4-9-1 | 0-0 |
| 1967 New Orleans Saints | Head Coach | 3-11-0 | 0-0 |
| 1966 Atlanta Falcons | Wide Receivers Coach | 3-11-0 | 0-0 |
| 1965 Green Bay Packers | Offensive Ends Coach | 10-3-1 | 2-0 |
| 1964 Green Bay Packers | Offensive Ends Coach | 8-5-1 | 0-0 |
| 1963 Green Bay Packers | Offensive Ends Coach | 11-2-1 | 0-0 |
| 1962 Green Bay Packers | Offensive Ends Coach | 13-1-0 | 1-0 |
| 1961 Los Angeles Rams | Wide Receivers Coach | 4-10-0 | 0-0 |
| 1960 Los Angeles Rams | Wide Receivers Coach | 4-7-1 | 0-0 |
| 1959 Green Bay Packers | Wide Receivers Coach | 7-5-0 | 0-0 |
Coach history guide
| Seasons with a championship win | Seasons with a conference championship |
Coach facts
- Years as head coach: 4
- Years as a coordinator: 2
- Championships won: 1962 and 1965
- Past teams coached for: Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Rams
- Date of Birth: Sunday, December 3, 1922 (77 years old)
- Tom Fears was the first person to line up on the line of scrimmage off the tackle, making him the first WR ever.