The 1985 Chicago Bears won the Super Bowl with Ryan as an autonomous defensive coordinator, carried off the field on the shoulders of his players, the only man who ever scared Mike Ditka, if just a little.
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Ryan, who created the 46 defense which propelled the Chicago Bears to a dominating victory in Super Bowl XX, was more than just a one hit wonder.
Ryan started his coaching career with the University of Buffalo, serving as the defensive line coach from 1961 to 1965. Currently, Rex is the head coach of the Buffalo Bills, and brother Rob is the Bills’ assistant head coach.
The Philadelphia Eagles released an official statement following the passing of former head coach Buddy Ryan on Tuesday morning. “Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the Ryan family today”.
Ryan’s good time has ended. Ryan notably ran up the score on Landry and Dallas during a 1987 Cowboys-Eagles game, continuing to throw the ball with 30 seconds left and his team up 10. He then became head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, where he posted a 12-20 record in two seasons.
In one of the final scenes of ESPN’s “30 for 30” on the 1985 Chicago Bears, former linebacker Mike Singletary has to say goodbye to his old coach Buddy Ryan.
In 1994, as the defensive coordinator of the Houston Oilers, Ryan took a swing at the team’s offensive coordinator, Kevin Gilbride, during a sideline disagreement. But he ranks with Steve Owen, who went from Freedom, Okla., to the New York Giants, as the greatest pro football coaches to come from Oklahoma. The legendary defense was also first in the league in points allowed, yards, rush yards, first downs, and takeaways in the same season.
Ryan moved on from the Bears to be a head coach with the Philadelphia Eagles and the Arizona Cardinals, reaching the playoffs in some seasons, but never getting beyond the first round.
Ryan also is survived by another son, Jim. “The reason I bought in Kentucky, I was living in NY and coaching with the Jets, and I’d drive home through Kentucky to Oklahoma, particularly during the month of June which we got off (from work)”. Buddy is the architect of the “46 Defense” which, according to Wikipedia, is named for the number worn by Bears safety Doug Plank, which produced an National Football League record 72 sacks in 1984, a record that still stands today.
In retirement, Ryan began breeding thoroughbred horses but never lost his passion for football.
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If one word could describe Buddy Ryan it was authentic.
