The sports world is mourning the passing of another coaching legend today. First, basketball coaching icon Pat Summitt, and now a pioneer in NFL play-calling.
Buddy Ryan, one of the most innovative defensive coaches in NFL history, passed away today at age 82.
Ryan got his NFL coaching start with the Buffalo Bills and was the defensive line coach for the New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings before being hired as the Chicago Bears defensive coordinator job. Ryan’s work with the Bears defense lead to a Super Bowl victory in 1985. Ryan would go on to coach the Philadelphia Eagles and Arizona Cardinals.
Ryan was known for creating mayhem on the field with his blitz-heavy schemes as well as “speaking out against the coddling of quarterbacks.” Ryan passed on his personality and coaching wisdom to his two sons, NFL coaches Rex and Rob Ryan.
Mike Ditka, former head coach of the 1985 Bears, told NFL.com “there will never be another guy like Buddy.”
[via CNBC]