In football's days of old, professional coaches like Tom Landry and Vince Lombardi would pace the sidelines during a game wearing a fedora, a sports coat and slacks, along with an air of authority.

Today, those sharp suits have been traded for track suits.

And that change in fashion had an effect, at least subliminally, according to former pro footballer Dave Smigelsky.

"When it comes to fashion ... I believe the attire does play a factor in the performance and respect for the coaches," said Smigelsky, who played with the Atlanta Falcons. "Nowadays, I don't know whether it's because of endorsements ... some think it's a comfort thing."

In the 1960s, as television brought football into more homes, it was common to see legendary coaches like Lombardi or Paul ‘Bear' Bryant on the sidelines in an overcoat and hat. That look commanded respect, Smigelsky said.

"I believe it was because of their suits and ties, they separated themselves from the players," he said. "With Bear you were in awe when you walked on the field, and you wouldn't feel that way if he wore Nikes and sweats. Tom Landry was as professional and organized as a man could be and his success showed."

Today, when Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin and Arizona Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt take to the playing field with their teams, both will probably have on Reebok polo shirts in the 70-degree weather.

And while their teams represent the top for each division, the coaches can represent the standard for modern coaching fashion.

At least, an example of what can be worn within the parameters of the NFL's guidelines.

"During the spring we actually bring Reebok, which is the official supplier of coaches' sideline apparel as well as the jerseys, we'll bring Reebok to a meeting in March," said Brian McCarthy, an NFL spokesman. "Where we have all of the coaches assembled and laying out in essence their summer, fall and winter wardrobe. We say, ‘This is the new line that Reebok is coming out with, here's what's available to wear,' and you begin making your selections."

The idea is to add cohesion among all 32 NFL coaches, he said. But McCarthy added that while most coaches take the apparel guidelines in stride, others do not.

"Some are more fashion savvy than others," he said. "Some say, ‘I don't care what I look like, I'm required to wear this and I'm glad to do so' ... other people like certain styles. Certain garments do play into the overall decision making of what we end up using."

For example, New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick has a reputation for cutting off the sleeves of his NFL-approved clothes. But the downside to this individuality is that he may look a bit dumpy on the sidelines.

Before the NFL changed the rules for coaching attire, there were a few coaches notable for their personal fashion. Landry, who coached the Dallas Cowboys for almost 30 years; Lombardi, who coached the Green Bay Packers during the 1960s; and Kansas City Chiefs coach Hank Stram, who roamed the sidelines in the '60s and '70s, all added a bit of highbrow civility to the gridiron with their clothing choices.

Today, coaches for most other professional sports, like basketball or hockey, stalk the sidelines in suits and ties. And on occasion, NFL coaches today will try to dress to impress, too.

For example, Jacksonville Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio wanted to pay homage to historic coaches by wearing a suit on the field. But it was difficult to persuade the NFL and Reebok.

"There was an opportunity to wear it at home, that's what it came down to," said the NFL's McCarthy.

Still, it's not the same.

Chuck Clausen, a Hall County resident who coached high school, college and professional football for 28 years and is now an analyst for high school games, said the coaches' clothing styles definitely have changed.

"When I first began coaching we wore a coat and tie and it's really kind of nice - unnecessary but nice," said Clausen, who is pulling for Arizona today. "When I got into pro coaching in 1976 there was a transition to a uniform, so to speak. You had the same kind of shirt and the same kind of slacks."

Mike ‘Moon Pie' Wilson, also a Hall County resident and a graduate of Johnson High School in Oakwood who went on to play professionally for the Cincinnati Bengals, said he has seen a change in clothing, too, that ultimately reflects on the game.

When he played professionally in the 1980s, he added, he was required to wear a suit and tie whenever he was representing the team.

"In the past, each coach had their own style, like Hank Stram did for a long time," said Wilson, who played in the 1982 Super Bowl. "More of the coaches were on the conservative side. As time goes by it's gotten more relaxed and more comfortable ... everything is all Reebok."

It would be nice, he said, to see a little personality among the coaches' clothes.

"The style does matter. It lets the fans know the difference" between the players and coaches, he said. "It adds a little color and flair."