Buddy Ryan, who spent 35 seasons coaching in the NFL and created the "46 Defense" that helped the 1985 Bears beat the Patriots in Super Bowl XX, died on Tuesday morning. He was 82.
Ryan started his coaching career in the college ranks in 1961 as the defensive line coach for the Buffalo Bulls. He later served as the defensive line coach for the Jets in the late 1960s and early 1970s and was with the team when they won Super Bowl III. Rayn then joined the Vikings as their defensive line coach before moving on to the Bears, where he was named defensive coordinator in 1978.
It was with the Bears that Ryan came up with his "46 Defense," which he used to turn the 1985 Bears into one of the best defensive units in NFL history. His success in Chicago helped him earn his first head coaching job with the Eagles in 1986, and he also coached for the Oilers and Cardinals later in his career before retiring in 1995. He finished his head coaching career with a 55-55-1 record.
Ryan is the father of current NFL coaches Rex and Rob Ryan. Rob is currently the head coach of the Bills, while Rob serves as the assistant head coach of defense for the team.
Here is how those in the sports world are remembering Ryan this morning:
RIP.
