Coaching Roots: Dennis Thurman
Although Dennis Thurman's name is most often associated with Rex Ryan, his coaching roots include working with legends Tom Landry, John McKay, and John Robinson.






Dallas Cowboys head coach Tom Landry (right) looks over the Superdome with assistant Gene Stallings during a workout on Thursday, Jan. 13, 1978 in New Orleans.

Southern California head coach John Robinson, in white, reacts with players and coaches to a USC touchdown during the second half of their game against Nevada-Las Vegas Saturday night, Oct. 4, 1997, in Los Angeles. USC won the game 35-21. This marks Robinson's 100th collegiate career win.

Tom Landry roams the Cowboys sidelines.

Dallas Cowboys assistant coach Gene Stallings during the Cowboys 20-0 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the 1985 NFC Divisional Playoff Game on January 4, 1986 at Anaheim Stadium in Anaheim, California.

Head football coach at the University of Southern California John McKay tells booster groups "We're shooting for the national championship," Aug. 22, 1974.

New York Jets defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman, left, talks with coach Rex Ryan during NFL football practice Wednesday, June 5, 2013, in Florham Park, N.J.

In seven years as head coach at Alabama, Gene Stallings won a national championship and has a .817 winning percentage, second only to legend Bear Bryant.