Hall of Fame
Thomas served as the head football coach at the University of Chattanooga from 1925 to 1928. He posted a 26-9-2 mark in four years, including three Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association titles in 1926 (share), 1927 (share) and 1928. He was 12-0 in SIAA play over the last three years of his tenure at Chattanooga.
Thomas went on to fame as head coach 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. He 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 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. His roommate and best friend at Notre Dame was George "The Gipper" Gipp.
In 2006, a bronze statue of Thomas was erected outside of the University of Alabama's Bryant–Denny Stadium alongside the statues of Wallace Wade, Bear Bryant, Gene Stallings and Nick Saban, the other head coaches who have led Alabama to national championships.
