Later on, his tenure, in 1968 he joined the New York Jets as a defensive assistant and later that year earned himself a Super Bowl Ring with Joe Namath. Later on, in his NFL career, starting in 1978, he would be a part of the Chicago Bears and the originator of his 46 defense and it was in full effect in 1981 and the defensive players became accustomed to Buddy’s innovative defense. After Neill Armstrong’s firing, George Halas thought about naming Ryan the new head coach, but unfortunately for Buddy, he went with Mike Ditka instead.
In 1985 Buddy and Mike didn’t see eye to eye
In 1985 Eagles Great Buddy Ryan and Mike didn’t see eye to eye, but that didn’t matter to the team’s success. And after a game when the offense was getting away from Ditka and the defense lifting up Buddy Ryan, Buddy was getting attention, instead of their head coach, causing friction. That year his defense would help give the Chicago Bears a Super Bowl Championship and the defensive players would carry him off the field.
That following offseason, the Eagles were going in another direction and hired Buddy to be their new head coach. Buddy would coach a lot of great players with the Eagles. Reggie White, Jerome Brown, Seth Joyner, Clyde Simmons, Eric Allen, and countless others. Philadelphia Eagles football fun to watch every single Sunday. He would struggle a little bit in his first couple of years but would have success in the 1988 season when his team had a 10-6 record and they made the Playoffs and were the NFC East Champions for the first time in Buddy Ryan’s Eagles coaching career and the first time for the Eagles since 1981.
The biggest game of Eagles Great Buddy Ryan head coaching career
The biggest game of Eagles Headcoach Buddy Ryan career came against his former boss in Mike Ditka’s Chicago Bears. The two were just like how they were in Chicago. At the start they didn’t see eye to eye and did their jobs. However that day it wasn’t about the Eagles and Bears. Surprisingly there was a fog that came into Soldier Field in the second quarter. That game would be forever be called the “Fog Bowl”. Unfortunately the Eagles would lose that game and their season was over. The next year for Buddy was another successful season for him. Making the playoffs but again they were eliminated in the first round, this time to the Los Angeles Rams. If you are enjoying this article check out it’s author James Scorza every Saturday morning on The Pattison Ave Phanatics Show!
Monday Night matchup with the Washington Redskins
The other biggest game of Eagles Great Buddy Ryan career was a Monday Night matchup with the Washington Redskins. If you bring up that game in 1990 at Veterans Stadium or at home watching will you tell the story of what they call the “Body Bag Game”.
Buddy Ryan’s Defense would take out one Washington Player after another. Washington ran out of players and would have to bring in rookie running back Brian Mitchell to play quarterback. They ran out of quarterbacks because there was a three-quarterback rule back then. Eagles all knocked out, and the Eagles would win 28-14 over Washington. As fate would have it, Washington got their revenge in the playoffs, beating the Eagles in the first round.
After the 1990 season, Eagles General Manager and the owner decided they would not renew Buddy Ryan’s contract,. The same day they would hire Rich Kotite as the head coach. Anyone who got to see Buddy Ryan’s Eagles would say the fans were entertained. They always enjoyed what he brought to the table. He was truly an Eagles coach that people still rave about to this day. If you enjoyed this article check out the rest up right now at EOPsports.com
Buddy Ryan’s Achievements:
Ryan was an assistant on three different teams to make the Super Bowl. (New York Jets, Chicago Bears, and Minnesota Vikings). He built his reputation as a defensive specialist and was largely credited with implementing and perfecting the 46 defense.
Personal Life:
Ryan was previously married to Doris Ryan and had three sons: Jim and fraternal twins, Rex and Rob.
Ryan died on June 28, 2016, on his ranch in Shelbyville, Kentucky. At the age of 85, after a lengthy illness.
James Scorza is a Co-Host of the Pattison Ave Phanatics on Edge of Philly Sports. James attended the Connecticut School of Broadcasting. He loves Sports and Music and has an encyclopedic knowledge of all things Philadelphia Sports. He may be young but is knowledgeable beyond his years.
