Gil Brandt
Encyclopedia
Gil Brandt was a Vice President of player personnel for the Dallas Cowboys
from 1960 to 1988.
Brandt served as the Cowboys' chief talent scout since the club's birth in 1960. He had served as a part-time scout for the Los Angeles Rams under General Manager Tex Schramm
in the 1950s. When Schramm took command of the newly formed Dallas franchise in 1960, Brandt was one of the first people he hired. Schramm, Brandt and Coach Tom Landry
formed the triumverate which guided the Cowboys for their first 29 years.
Brandt helped pioneer many of the scouting techniques used by NFL clubs today, such as computer analysis of prospects (especially those from small colleges), converting basketball players and track athletes into football players and finding top free agent rookies, such as Drew Pearson
, Cliff Harris
, and Everson Walls
. Brandt was also one of the first NFL talent scouts to look outside the United States for potential players. For example, he looked to Latin American soccer leagues for kickers.
A native of Milwaukee and a graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Madison
, Brandt worked as a baby photographer before his flair of discovering football talent led him into the NFL. Gil Brandt left the Dallas Cowboys after Jerry Jones bought the team. After a few years out of football, he returned as a print analyst and draft expert.
Brandt currently contributes to NFL.com as a senior analyst. He is their main personnel guru, offering insight and commentary on all aspects of players and teams. Gil is also a major contributor in selecting the Playboy All-American Football Team along with sports editor Gary Cole. He is a regular on Sirius NFL Radio Network as a commentator on "Late Hits", "The Red Zone", and the "SIRIUS NFL Tailgate Show." http://www.sirius.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Sirius/Page&c=Channel&cid=1104779628676&s=person http://www.bobanddan.com/Deion's%20Greatest%20Achievement.mp3
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
from 1960 to 1988.
Brandt served as the Cowboys' chief talent scout since the club's birth in 1960. He had served as a part-time scout for the Los Angeles Rams under General Manager Tex Schramm
Tex Schramm
Texas Earnest "Tex" Schramm, Jr. was the original president and general manager of the National Football League's Dallas Cowboys franchise. Schramm became the head of the Cowboys when the former expansion team started operations in 1960.-Early life and career:Despite his name, Schramm was not born...
in the 1950s. When Schramm took command of the newly formed Dallas franchise in 1960, Brandt was one of the first people he hired. Schramm, Brandt and Coach Tom Landry
Tom Landry
Thomas Wade "Tom" Landry was an American football player and coach. He is ranked as one of the greatest and most innovative coaches in National Football League history, creating many new formations and methods...
formed the triumverate which guided the Cowboys for their first 29 years.
Brandt helped pioneer many of the scouting techniques used by NFL clubs today, such as computer analysis of prospects (especially those from small colleges), converting basketball players and track athletes into football players and finding top free agent rookies, such as Drew Pearson
Drew Pearson (American football)
Drew Pearson is a sportscaster and former American football wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League.-Early years:...
, Cliff Harris
Cliff Harris
Clifford Allen Harris is a former professional American football safety who played for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League for ten seasons.-Professional career:...
, and Everson Walls
Everson Walls
Everson Collins Walls is a former American football cornerback in the NFL, having played for the Dallas Cowboys, the New York Giants, and the Cleveland Browns. During his 14 seasons, he was a four-time Pro Bowl selection. He was also a 3-time All-Pro selection...
. Brandt was also one of the first NFL talent scouts to look outside the United States for potential players. For example, he looked to Latin American soccer leagues for kickers.
A native of Milwaukee and a graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
, Brandt worked as a baby photographer before his flair of discovering football talent led him into the NFL. Gil Brandt left the Dallas Cowboys after Jerry Jones bought the team. After a few years out of football, he returned as a print analyst and draft expert.
Brandt currently contributes to NFL.com as a senior analyst. He is their main personnel guru, offering insight and commentary on all aspects of players and teams. Gil is also a major contributor in selecting the Playboy All-American Football Team along with sports editor Gary Cole. He is a regular on Sirius NFL Radio Network as a commentator on "Late Hits", "The Red Zone", and the "SIRIUS NFL Tailgate Show." http://www.sirius.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Sirius/Page&c=Channel&cid=1104779628676&s=person http://www.bobanddan.com/Deion's%20Greatest%20Achievement.mp3