Franchise Founding in 1960

Lore & Background

The path to Dallas began with high-stakes ambition backed by deep pockets. After the NFL's Dallas Texans collapsed years earlier, Clint Murchison Jr. and his partner Bedford Wynne seized the 1960 expansion opportunity, pouring resources into a franchise designed for longevity from day one.

Defying the standard playbook, the Cowboys flipped the script: after securing players in the Expansion Draft on December 28, 1959, they finalized their leadership by officially hiring Tom Landry as head coach on January 13, 1960. This unprecedented front-office alliance prioritized culture over quick fixes, creating a strategic engine that would endure for decades. While the on-field product stumbled through a historic winless inaugural season, the bedrock built by this leadership allowed Dallas to ascend from embarrassment to dynasty within a single decade.

In Their Own Story

The wind whipped across the empty Cotton Bowl turf in early autumn 1960, carrying the chill of a fresh start and a heavy silence. Tom Landry adjusted his signature fedora, standing before a chalkboard while players in leather helmets—more construction gear than protection—waited on the sideline. There were no roaring crowds yet, only a sparse gathering of scouts and press watching history unfold in real-time. As Landry drew X's and O's, he ignored the scoreboard that currently read zero for Dallas. He knew this moment wasn't about today's loss; it was about tomorrow's legacy. In the quiet of that stadium, while the world saw a winless start, Landry was already building a championship.

Reader's Guide

The Cowboys' origin story begins in 1960, marking the NFL's bold expansion into Texas after decades of failed attempts to establish a pro team there. Owner Clint Murchison Jr.'s acquisition of the franchise rights set the stage for an era defined not by immediate glory, but by structural brilliance. The hiring of Tom Landry and Tex Schramm before the first draft created a legendary partnership that would steer the ship for twenty years.

The 1960 season remains infamous for its 0–11–1 record, including a soul-crushing 35–0 shutout by the Pittsburgh Steelers in their debut. Yet, this struggle was the necessary crucible. The organization focused on building depth through the expansion draft and early college selections, securing future Hall of Famer Bob Lilly in 1961. This chapter is vital because it established the professional culture that became the team's DNA; while the field was a disaster initially, the administrative foundation laid the groundwork for the Super Bowl dynasty of the 1970s.

Did You Know?

• In their very first NFL game on September 25, 1960, the Cowboys were shut out 35–0 by the Chicago Bears.
• The franchise recorded its only tie in the inaugural season against the Philadelphia Eagles, but this result did not end their winless streak; Dallas remained without a victory until November 1961.
• Tom Landry was officially hired on January 13, 1960, following the Expansion Draft held on December 28, 1959, cementing his role as the architect of the franchise's future.