View source for Buddy Ryan

{{Short description|American football player, coach, and executive (1931–2016)}}
{{Other people|Buddy Ryan}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name                = Buddy Ryan
| image               = Buddy Ryan in 2011.jpg
| image_size          = 
| alt                 = Photograph of Ryan wearing dark pinstripe shirt
| caption             = Ryan at the [[White House]] in 2011
| birth_date          = {{Birth date|<!--This is the correct birthdate. Check source before changing.-->1931|2|17|mf=y}}
| birth_place         = [[Frederick, Oklahoma]], U.S.
| death_date          = {{death date and age|2016|6|28|1931|2|17}}
| death_place         = [[Shelbyville, Kentucky]], U.S.
| high_school         = 
| college             = [[Oklahoma State Cowboys football|Oklahoma State]]
| pastcoaching        = 
* [[Gainesville High School (Texas)|Gainesville HS (TX)]] (1957–1958)<br />Assistant coach
* Gainesville HS (TX) (1959)<br />Head coach
* [[Marshall High School (Texas)|Marshall HS (TX)]] (1960)<br />Assistant coach
* [[Buffalo Bulls football|Buffalo]] (1961–1965)<br />Defensive line coach
* [[Pacific Tigers football|Pacific]] (1966)<br />Defensive line coach
* [[Vanderbilt Commodores football|Vanderbilt]] (1967)<br />Defensive line coach
* [[New York Jets]] ({{NFL Year|1968|1975}})<br />Defensive line coach
* [[Minnesota Vikings]] ({{NFL Year|1976|1977}})<br />Defensive line coach
* [[Chicago Bears]] ({{NFL Year|1978|1985}})<br />Defensive coordinator
* [[Philadelphia Eagles]] ({{NFL Year|1986|1990}})<br />Head coach
* [[Houston Oilers]] ({{NFL Year|1993}})<br />Defensive coordinator
* [[Arizona Cardinals]] ({{NFL Year|1994|1995}})<br />Head coach
| pastexecutive =
* [[Arizona Cardinals]] ({{NFL Year|1994|1995}})<br/>General manager
| highlights          = 
* 2× [[List of Super Bowl champions|Super Bowl champion]] as assistant coach ([[Super Bowl III|III]], [[Super Bowl XX|XX]])
| coachregrecord      = {{Winning percentage|55|55|1|record=y}}
| coachplayoffrecord  = {{Winning percentage|0|3|record=y}}
| coachrecord         = {{Winning percentage|55|58|1|record=y}}
| pfrcoach            = RyanBu0
| pfrexec = RyanBu0
}}

'''James David''' "'''Buddy'''" '''Ryan''' (February 17, 1931 – June 28, 2016) was an American [[American football|football]] coach in the [[National Football League]] (NFL) and [[American Football League]] (AFL).  During his 35-season coaching career, Ryan served as the head coach of the [[Philadelphia Eagles]] from 1986 to 1990, and of the [[Arizona Cardinals]] from 1994 to 1995. Ryan also served as the defensive coordinator of the [[Chicago Bears]] from 1978 to 1985, and of the [[Houston Oilers]] in 1993. Coaching multiple [[Pro Football Hall of Fame|Hall of Fame]] defensive players throughout his career, Ryan is considered by many to be one of the greatest defensive minds in the history of [[American football]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Donahue |first=Ben |date=2023-02-26 |title=The Life And Career Of Buddy Ryan (Story) |url=https://www.profootballhistory.com/buddy-ryan/ |access-date=2023-09-12 |website=Pro Football History |language=en-US}}</ref>

Ryan began his professional coaching career as the [[defensive line]] coach for the [[New York Jets]] of the AFL for the team's [[Super Bowl III]] victory. He became the defensive line coach for the [[Minnesota Vikings]], overseeing the [[Purple People Eaters]]. He then became the [[defensive coordinator]] of the [[Chicago Bears]], who won [[Super Bowl XX]]. As defensive coordinator of the Bears, he is credited with creating the [[46 defense]], and the [[1985 Chicago Bears season|1985]] team led the league in nearly all defensive statistical categories. Ryan then coached the Eagles, served as defensive coordinator of the Oilers, and coached the Cardinals. He was the father of NFL coaches [[Rex Ryan]] and [[Rob Ryan]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sessler |first=Marc |date=June 28, 2016 |title=Buddy Ryan's passion, intensity lives on in twin sons |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/buddy-ryan-s-passion-intensity-lives-on-in-twin-sons-0ap3000000671719 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814003046/https://www.nfl.com/news/buddy-ryan-s-passion-intensity-lives-on-in-twin-sons-0ap3000000671719 |archive-date=August 14, 2022 |access-date=2022-08-14 |website=NFL.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Early life==
Ryan was born on February 17, 1931,<ref name=NYTobit/> and raised in a "small, agricultural-based community" outside of [[Frederick, Oklahoma]].<ref>Mark Bowden ''Bringing the Heat'', p.78, Atlantic Monthly Press, 1994, {{ISBN|0-87113-772-0}}</ref> His obituary in ''[[The New York Times]]'' references the confusion about the year Ryan was born: "His birth year was often listed as 1934; as [[Rex Ryan]] said in his memoir, his father had subtracted a few years from his true age to come off as more youthful when first looking for an NFL job."<ref name="NYTobit">{{cite news |last1=Goldstein |first1=Richard |date=June 28, 2016 |title=Buddy Ryan, Combative Defensive Genius in the N.F.L., Dies at 85 |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/29/sports/football/buddy-ryan-dies-nfl.html |access-date=June 28, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616132753/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/29/sports/football/buddy-ryan-dies-nfl.html |archive-date=June 16, 2022}}</ref> Ryan played college football for [[Oklahoma A&M University]] (now Oklahoma State) where he earned four [[Letterman (sports)|letters]] as a [[Guard (gridiron football)|guard]] between 1952 and 1955. He served as a [[sergeant]] in the [[United States Army]] during the [[Korean War]].<ref>Ray Didinger and Robert S. Lyons ''The Eagles Encyclopedia'', p. 119, Temple University Press, 2005, {{ISBN|1-59213-449-1}}</ref>

==Coaching==

===High school===
Ryan began his coaching career at Gainesville High School in [[Gainesville, Texas]], in 1957 as an assistant coach under Dub Wooten. When Wooten became head coach at [[Marshall High School (Marshall, Texas)|Marshall High School]] in 1959, Ryan was promoted to head coach at Gainesville where he was also the athletic director. After one season at Gainesville, he spent one year as an assistant coach in [[Marshall, Texas]].<ref name="Mark Bowden p.79">Mark Bowden ''Bringing the Heat'', p. 79, Atlantic Monthly Press, 1994, {{ISBN|0-87113-772-0}}.</ref>

===College===
In 1961, after completing service in the military, (which included playing on the Fourth Army championship football team in Japan)<ref name="Mark Bowden p.79"/> Ryan was determined to continue coaching football when he returned, and not at the high school ranks. However, with so many great coaches already in Texas, college jobs were hard to find. Carl Speegle, a former coach of Ryan's, contacted [[Dick Offenhamer]], the head coach of the [[Buffalo Bulls football|Buffalo Bulls]] of the [[University at Buffalo]] (UB), who needed a defensive line coach and was also preparing for the program's first season at the [[NCAA Division I]] level. From 1962 through 1965, the Bulls defense ranked among the national leaders, posting 12 shutouts in that span as well as producing [[Gerry Philbin]]. In 1964, [[Lou Saban]], the head coach of the [[Buffalo Bills]] of the [[American Football League]] (AFL), reportedly offered Ryan a similar job with the Bills, but he received a $2,000 raise from UB to stay. In 1965, Ryan took a job at [[Pacific Tigers|Pacific]], before finishing his college coaching career the following season with [[Vanderbilt Commodores football|Vanderbilt]].<ref>Roy Taylor, "Chicago Bears History" p. 59, Arcadia Publishing, 2004, {{ISBN|0-7385-3319-X}}</ref>

===New York Jets===
Ryan joined the [[New York Jets]] of the AFL in 1968. He and [[Walt Michaels]]' defensive game plan was instrumental in holding the NFL's [[History of the Indianapolis Colts|Baltimore Colts]] to seven points in [[Super Bowl III]] and earning Ryan his first [[Super Bowl ring]]. Seeing the emphasis that [[Weeb Ewbank]] placed on protecting [[Joe Namath]] and his fragile knees, Ryan created multiple blitz packages (i.e. the "59 blitz", the "Taco Bell blitz", and the "Cheeseburger blitz") reasoning that the [[quarterback]] is the focal point of any offense, and that a defense must attack the offense's strength and centerpiece.<ref>Mark Bowden ''Bringing the Heat'', p.80, Atlantic Monthly Press, 1994, {{ISBN|0-87113-772-0}}</ref>

===Minnesota Vikings===
In 1976 and 1977, Ryan served as defensive line coach for the [[Minnesota Vikings]]. The Vikings' defensive line, known as the "[[Purple People Eaters]]", was heralded for its ability to punish rivals.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/former-nfl-coach-buddy-ryan-dies-at-age-85-0ap3000000671619 |title=Former NFL coach Buddy Ryan dies at age 85 |website=NFL.com |date=July 21, 2015 |access-date=June 28, 2016}}</ref> The 1976 Vikings won the NFC Championship and appeared in [[Super Bowl XI]]. In 1977, the Vikings won the [[NFC Central]] and reached the NFC Championship game.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fox9.com/sports/166817973-story |title=Condolences to the family of Buddy Ryan from the Minnesota Vikings – Story &#124; KMSP |website=Fox9.com |access-date=June 28, 2016 |archive-date=July 2, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160702011020/http://www.fox9.com/sports/166817973-story |url-status=dead }}</ref> During his time with the Vikings, he started working on a defensive nickel scheme designed to disrupt the passing game. That formed the early basis of the [[46 defense]].<ref name=chicagotribute>{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-buddy-ryan-dead-20160628-story.html |title=Buddy Ryan, defensive architect of 1985 Bears, dies at 85|website=Chicago Tribune|date=June 28, 2016|access-date=June 29, 2016}}</ref> While Buddy had the title of DL coach, at the insistence of head coach Bud Grant he was actually running the defense.{{Citation needed|date=April 2025}}

===Chicago Bears===
In 1978, owner [[George Halas]] brought in Ryan as defensive coordinator. With the Bears, Ryan created the [[46 defense]], named after then Bears safety [[Doug Plank]], but it wasn't until 1981 that the scheme was perfected.<ref name=chicagotribute/>  This was due in large part to [[Mike Singletary]]'s ability to single-handedly dominate the middle of the field.<ref>Sean Lahman The Pro Football Historical Abstract: A Hardcore Fan's Guide to All-Time Player Rankings", p.205, Lyons Press, 2008, {{ISBN|978-1-59228-940-0}}</ref> The defensive players were so loyal to Ryan that when Bears head coach [[Neill Armstrong]] was fired in 1982,<ref name="Roy Taylor p. 69">Roy Taylor, "Chicago Bears History" p. 69, Arcadia Publishing, 2004, {{ISBN|0-7385-3319-X}}</ref> they urged Halas to name Ryan head coach<ref>Jonathan Rand ''300 Pounds of Attitude: The Wildest Stories and Craziest Characters the NFL Has Ever Seen'', pp.&nbsp;58–59, Lyons Press, 2006, {{ISBN|978-1-59921-176-3}}</ref> or at least have the new coach keep Ryan as defensive coordinator.<ref name="Roy Taylor p. 69"/> Ultimately, [[Mike Ditka]] was hired as the head coach. Ryan and Ditka "feuded openly",<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/chi-chicagodays-1986superbowl-story,0,2581694.story |title=The Chicago Bears win the 1986 Super Bowl |newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=January 27, 2015 |access-date=June 28, 2016}}</ref><ref name="Walter Harvey p 10">Walter Harvey, "The Super Bowl's most wanted: the top 10 book of big-game heroes, pigskin zeroes, and championship oddities", p. 193, Brassey's Inc., 2004, {{ISBN|1-57488-889-7}}</ref> though Ditka mostly left the defense in Ryan's hands<ref>Ray Didinger, "Game Plans for Success: Winning Strategies for Business and Life from 10 Top NFL Head Coaches", Mike Ditka, "Hands-on Management" pp.&nbsp;49–70, p. 58, Contemporary Books, Inc., 1995, {{ISBN|0-8092-3171-9}}</ref> "Ditka challenged Ryan to a fight during halftime"<ref>Jonathan Rand ''300 Pounds of Attitude: The Wildest Stories and Craziest Characters the NFL Has Ever Seen'', p. 58, Lyons Press, 2006, {{ISBN|978-1-59921-176-3}}</ref> of the Bears' 1985 matchup versus the [[1985 Miami Dolphins season|Miami Dolphins]], with the team at 12–0 and trailing 31–10 in a nationally televised ''[[Monday Night Football]]'' broadcast. "The guys on the team had to separate them—the offense getting Ditka away from Ryan and defensive guys holding Buddy."<ref>Steve McMichael and Phil Ariva, "Steve McMichael's Tales from the Chicago Bears Sideline", p. 98, Sports Publishing L.L.C, 2004, {{ISBN|1-58261-800-3}}</ref> The Bears went on to lose the game 38–24, which was their only loss of the season. However, the team would go on to [[Super Bowl XX]] where they would dominate the New England Patriots 46–10.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1986-01-27 |title=Bears Trounce Patriots, 46-10, in Super Bowl |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-01-27-mn-540-story.html |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> The Bears defense carried Ryan off the field on their shoulders<ref>Merrill Reese and Mark Eckel ''Merrill Reese "It's Gooooood!"'', p. 95, Sports Publishing Inc., 1998 {{ISBN|1-58261-000-2}}</ref> "...right behind Mike Ditka", who was also being carried off the field.<ref name="Walter Harvey p 10"/> This was the first time two coaches were ever carried off the field at the Super Bowl.<ref>Steve McMichael and Phil Ariva, "Steve McMichael's Tales from the Chicago Bears Sideline", p. 128, Sports Publishing L.L.C, 2004, {{ISBN|1-58261-800-3}}</ref>

The Bears defense set several NFL records in 1985, and led the league in turnovers forced and surrendered the fewest yards, points, and first downs.<ref>{{cite web|title=1985 Chicago Bears Statistics & Players|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/1985.htm|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|access-date=June 28, 2016}}</ref>

===Philadelphia Eagles===
That offseason, Ryan was hired by the [[Philadelphia Eagles]] as their head coach.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ryan Signs 5-Year Eagle Contract|work=Los Angeles Times|date=January 29, 1986|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-01-29-sp-1296-story.html|access-date=April 4, 2010}}</ref> Ryan released [[running back]] [[Earnest Jackson]], who had rushed for more than 1,000 yards in both of the previous two seasons,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Heidorn Jr.|first1=Rich|title=Earnest Jackson Is Waived Runner Is 7th '85 Starter Dumped By Ryan|url=http://articles.philly.com/1986-09-17/sports/26072406_1_earnest-jackson-junior-tautalatasi-eagles|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929113601/http://articles.philly.com/1986-09-17/sports/26072406_1_earnest-jackson-junior-tautalatasi-eagles|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 29, 2015|access-date=June 29, 2016|work=The Philadelphia Inquirer|date=September 17, 1986}}</ref> and limited the playing time of veteran quarterback [[Ron Jaworski]]. Ryan coached players such as [[Randall Cunningham]], [[Reggie White]], and [[Andre Waters]] and drafted [[Pro Bowl]]ers [[Seth Joyner]], [[Clyde Simmons]], [[Jerome Brown]], [[Eric Allen]], [[Cris Carter]], [[Fred Barnett]], and [[Keith Jackson (tight end)|Keith Jackson]]. The Eagles made the playoffs in 1988, 1989, and 1990.<ref>Aaron Kasinitz (June 28, 2016). [http://www.pennlive.com/philadelphiaeagles/index.ssf/2016/06/buddy_ryans_legacy_lives_on_in.html Buddy Ryan's legacy lives on in this 1988 Philadelphia Eagles rap video]. PennLive. Retrieved June 29, 2016.</ref>

On October 25, 1987, he came under fire after a game against the [[1987 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys]] by scoring a touchdown in the final seconds, when the outcome was no longer in doubt.<ref>{{cite news|title=He's sure no Buddy to the Cowboys|work=Eugene Register-Guard|date=October 27, 1987|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=L2kVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=eeEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6695,6719706|access-date=April 4, 2010}}</ref> This was apparently Ryan's revenge against Dallas head coach [[Tom Landry]], who Ryan felt had [[run up the score]] against the Eagles' replacement players during the [[1987 NFL strike|1987 players' strike]], using many of the Cowboys players that had crossed the picket line.<ref>{{cite news|title=Pro Football: Ryan Gets Revenge in the End|work=Los Angeles Times|date=October 26, 1987|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-10-26-sp-10877-story.html|access-date=April 4, 2010}}</ref>  The controversy marred a season in which the Eagles improved to 7–8, which included a 31–27 win over the eventual Super Bowl champion Redskins at Veterans Stadium.

On November 22, 1989, Ryan found himself at the center of another scandal, when Cowboys head coach [[Jimmy Johnson (American football coach)|Jimmy Johnson]] alleged Ryan had taken out a "[[bounty (reward)|bounty]]" on two Cowboys players—then-current Dallas (and former Philadelphia) placekicker [[Luis Zendejas]] and quarterback [[Troy Aikman]] in a game dubbed "[[Bounty Bowl]]" played on [[NFL on Thanksgiving Day|Thanksgiving Day]] at [[Texas Stadium]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Anderson |first=Dave |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/11/26/sports/sports-of-the-times-the-backfire-from-buddy-ryan-s-bounties.html?pagewanted=1 |title=Sports of The Times – The Backfire From Buddy Ryan's 'Bounties' |website=[[The New York Times]] |date=November 26, 1989 |access-date=June 28, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=17 fined for 'Bounty Bowl'|work=Boca Raton News|agency=Associated Press|date=December 22, 1989|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=r_dTAAAAIBAJ&sjid=l4wDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2862,2863804|access-date=April 4, 2010}}</ref> Ryan's Eagles compiled an 8–2 record against the Cowboys.

On January 8, 1991, Ryan was fired by the Eagles after going 43–35–1 in five seasons, a total that included an 0–3 record in playoff games. As quoted by Eagles owner [[Norman Braman]], "It is time to stop being a bridesmaid and become a bride." Ryan was replaced by his offensive coordinator in [[Rich Kotite]], whom he had hired from the Jets the previous year.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wilbon |first=Michael |date=1991-01-09 |title=RYAN SENT PACKING BY EAGLES' BRAMAN |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1991/01/09/ryan-sent-packing-by-eagles-braman/7ce7a013-741a-417c-8bfe-dd24230f8178/ |access-date=2024-02-01 |work=Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Ryan Out In Philly|work=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|agency=Associated Press|date=January 9, 1991|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=om4fAAAAIBAJ&sjid=AXsEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4814,5024349|access-date=April 4, 2010}}</ref> Ryan subsequently became an NFL commentator for [[CNN]].<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2457&dat=19911001&id=B6tJAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Rg4NAAAAIBAJ&pg=3081,129352&hl=en Eagles vs. Redskins always a hot rivalry]. ''Bangor Daily News''. Retrieved June 29, 2016.</ref>

===Houston Oilers===
Ryan became the defensive coordinator for the [[Houston Oilers]] in 1993, and his unit helped propel the Oilers to an 11-game winning streak at the end of the [[1993 NFL season]]. On January 2, 1994, in the Oilers' final regular season game against the [[New York Jets]], Ryan was involved in a sideline altercation with the offensive coordinator [[Kevin Gilbride]] during the nationally telecast game.<ref>{{cite news |first=Frank |last=Litsky |title=PRO FOOTBALL; Trying To Keep A Lid On Ryan |access-date=January 10, 2010 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/01/11/sports/pro-football-trying-to-keep-a-lid-on-ryan.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224222452/http://www.nytimes.com/1994/01/11/sports/pro-football-trying-to-keep-a-lid-on-ryan.html?pagewanted=1 |archive-date=December 24, 2013 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>

Ryan had been criticizing Gilbride's "[[Run & Shoot offense|run and shoot]]", referring to it as the "chuck and duck."<ref name="Jonathan Rand p. 69">Jonathan Rand ''300 Pounds of Attitude: The Wildest Stories and Craziest Characters the NFL Has Ever Seen'', p. 69, Lyons Press, 2006, {{ISBN|978-1-59921-176-3}}</ref> Ryan thought that two defensive players were injured on last-minute defensive stands when the offense could have simply run the clock out. At the end of the first half in the game against the Jets, Gilbride called a pass play, and when [[Cody Carlson]] fumbled the snap, Ryan started yelling at Gilbride, who then started walking towards Ryan, yelling back. When they were at arm's length, "Ryan ... attempted to punch Gilbride in the jaw"<ref name="Jonathan Rand p. 69"/> before linebacker [[Keith McCants]] and several other Oilers players separated them.<ref>{{cite news|last=Lapointe|first=Joe|title=Pro Football; Is Game Still Football? Oilers Think It's Boxing|work=The New York Times|date=January 4, 1994|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/01/04/sports/pro-football-is-game-still-football-oilers-think-it-s-boxing.html|access-date=April 4, 2010}}</ref> "Kevin Gilbride will be selling insurance in two years," Ryan said a few days after the incident.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Curtis |first=Charles |date=2016-06-28 |title=Remembering when Buddy Ryan punched fellow coach Kevin Gilbride on the sideline |url=https://ftw.usatoday.com/2016/06/buddy-ryan-kevin-gilbride-oilers-punch-sidelines-video |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220812034717/https://ftw.usatoday.com/2016/06/buddy-ryan-kevin-gilbride-oilers-punch-sidelines-video |archive-date=August 12, 2022 |access-date=2022-08-14 |website=For The Win |language=en-US}}</ref>

The Oilers lost to the [[Kansas City Chiefs]] 28&ndash;20 in a divisional round match at the [[Astrodome]] two weeks later on January 16. After scoring the Chiefs' first touchdown on a 7-yard pass from [[Joe Montana]], [[Keith Cash]] fired the football at an image of Ryan's face on a banner hanging beyond the end zone. Holding no grudge against Ryan, Cash explained, "I saw it as I was crossing the goal line, and it was just impulse. I just let it fly."<ref>[https://buffalonews.com/news/chiefs-able-to-cash-in-muddy-buddy-in-process/article_b1ca4fbd-47e9-5498-8492-2e9abb3a8047.html Northrop, Milt. "Chiefs Able to Cash In, Muddy Buddy in Process," ''The Buffalo News'', Monday, January 17, 1994.] Retrieved August 23, 2021</ref>

===Arizona Cardinals===
After being given a large share of the credit for the success in Houston in 1993, Ryan was named head coach and general manager of the [[Arizona Cardinals]] in 1994.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/03/sports/football/03ryan.html?scp=7&sq=buddy%20ryan&st=cse|title=On Ryan's Farm, Memories Fresh and Fading|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=February 3, 2007 |access-date=June 28, 2016|last1=Drape |first1=Joe }}</ref> On arriving in Phoenix, Ryan announced, "You've got a winner in town."<ref name="Pierre Mornell p. 131">Pierre Mornell, "45 Effective Ways for Hiring Smart! : How to Predict Winners and Losers in the Incredibly Expensive People-Reading Game", p. 131, Ten Speed Press, 1998, {{ISBN|1-58008-514-8}}</ref> Ryan was cited as providing a spark of interest in the team with his outspoken nature; he also named his two sons in Rob and Rex to be assistant coaches.<ref>{{cite web | last=Bickley | first=Dan | title=Bickley: Former Arizona Cardinals coach Buddy Ryan a true innovator | website=The Arizona Republic | date=2016-06-29 | url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nfl/cardinals/2016/06/28/bickley-ex-cardinals-coach-buddy-ryan-true-innovator/86494532/ | access-date=2025-07-06}}</ref> Ryan went 8–8 his [[1994 NFL season|first year]], which came with an offense that was in the bottom five of both total offense and scoring offense; the eight wins were the most for the franchise since the move to Arizona along with their first non-losing season since 1984.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://arizonasports.com/story/716788/buddy-ryan-definitely-made-his-mark-on-arizona/ | title=Buddy Ryan definitely made his mark on Arizona | date=June 28, 2016 }}</ref> The following year did not go as well. He was fired after the Cardinals crumbled to 4–12 the [[1995 NFL season|following season]], which saw them lose seven of their final eight games. After a miserable 37–13 loss on ''[[Monday Night Football]]'' to the [[Dallas Cowboys]] to close the year out, Ryan (who mistakenly left the field before the final seconds) was fired by owner [[Bill Bidwill]] on December 26. Bidwill cited the lackluster effort by the team as the pushing factor in his decision.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1995/dec/27/buddy-ryan-loses-job-in-phoenix-cardinals-oust/ | title=Buddy Ryan Loses Job in Phoenix Cardinals Oust Coach/General Manager After Poor Performance in Season Finale &#124; the Spokesman-Review }}</ref> He spent two seasons in Arizona<ref name="Pierre Mornell p. 131"/> and compiled a record of 12–20.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dcourier.com/news/2016/jun/28/former-cardinals-coach-defensive-mastermind-buddy-/|title=Former Cardinals coach, defensive mastermind, Buddy Ryan dies at 85|work=The Daily Courier|agency=Associated Press|date=June 28, 2016|access-date=July 1, 2016}}</ref>

==Legacy==
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]].<ref name=chicagotribute/>

Ryan's twin sons have been coaches in the NFL. [[Rex Ryan]] was head coach of the [[Buffalo Bills]] and [[New York Jets]], and [[Rob Ryan]] was an assistant head coach and defensive coordinator for a number of teams.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/14545272/rex-ryan-buffalo-bills-hires-rob-ryan-defense |title=Rex Ryan of Buffalo Bills hires Rob Ryan for defense |website=Espn.go.com |date=January 11, 2016 |access-date=June 28, 2016}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Ryan was previously married to Doris Ryan, and had three sons: James David Jr., and fraternal twins [[Rex Ryan|Rex]] and [[Rob Ryan|Rob]]. They divorced after 11 years of marriage, eight months after Rex and Rob were born.<ref name="dorisr1">{{cite web|last1=Graham|first1=Tim|title=The wild early years and the football family that shaped Bills coach Rex Ryan|url=http://bills.buffalonews.com/2015/06/20/the-wild-early-years-and-the-football-family-that-shaped-bills-coach-rex-ryan/|work=The Buffalo News|access-date=July 1, 2016|date=June 20, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160702023541/http://bills.buffalonews.com/2015/06/20/the-wild-early-years-and-the-football-family-that-shaped-bills-coach-rex-ryan/|archive-date=July 2, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Ryan met his second wife, Joanie Ryan, in 1968 when the two lived in the same apartment building in the [[Bayside, Queens|Bayside neighborhood]] of [[Queens]], while he was an assistant coach with the New York Jets. The two married in 1970. She died in September 2013 after a long battle with [[Alzheimer's disease]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Armstrong |first=Kevin |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/buddy-ryan-wife-dies-alzheimer-battle-article-1.1471835 |title=Buddy Ryan's wife dies after Alzheimer's battle |newspaper=[[New York Daily News]] |date=September 30, 2013 |access-date=June 28, 2016}}</ref>

Ryan died on June 28, 2016, on his ranch in [[Shelbyville, Kentucky]], at the age of 85, after a lengthy illness. He was buried at Lawrenceburg Cemetery in [[Lawrenceburg, Kentucky]], where he also had a farm.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rodak |first=Mike |last2=Dickerson |first2=Jeff |date=June 28, 2016 |title=Former NFL coach, defensive guru Buddy Ryan dies at age 85 |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/16579465/former-nfl-coach-defensive-guru-buddy-ryan-dies-age-82 |access-date=June 28, 2016 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press}}.</ref> Ryan had battled cancer and suffered a major [[stroke]] in recent years.<ref name="njcom">{{cite web|last1=Eckel|first1=Mark|title=Former Eagles head coach Buddy Ryan was one of a kind|date=June 28, 2016 |url=http://www.nj.com/eagles/index.ssf/2016/06/former_eagles_head_coach_buddy_ryan_was_one_of_a_k.html|publisher=NJ.com|access-date=June 29, 2016}}</ref>

==Head coaching record==
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%; text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"|Team !! rowspan="2"|Year !! colspan="5"|Regular season !! colspan="4"|Post-season
|-
!Won!!Lost!!Ties!!Win %!!Finish!! Won !! Lost !! Win % !! Result
|-
![[1986 Philadelphia Eagles season|PHI]]||[[1986 NFL season|1986]]
||5||10||1||{{Winning percentage|5|10|1}}||4th in NFC East|| –  || –  || –  || –
|-
![[1987 Philadelphia Eagles season|PHI]]||[[1987 NFL season|1987]]
||7||8||0||{{Winning percentage|7|8|0}}||2nd in NFC East|| –  || –  || –  || –
|- style="background:#fdd;"
![[1988 Philadelphia Eagles season|PHI]]||[[1988 NFL season|1988]]
||10||6||0||{{Winning percentage|10|6|0}}||'''1st in NFC East'''|| 0 || 1  || {{Winning percentage|0|1}}  || <small>'''Lost to [[1988 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]] in [[1988–89 NFL playoffs|NFC Divisional Game]].'''</small>
|- style="background:#fdd;"
![[1989 Philadelphia Eagles season|PHI]]||[[1989 NFL season|1989]]
||11||5||0||{{Winning percentage|11|5|0}}||'''2nd in NFC East'''|| 0  || 1  || {{Winning percentage|0|1}}  || <small>'''Lost to [[1989 Los Angeles Rams season|Los Angeles Rams]] in [[1989–90 NFL playoffs|NFC Wild Card Game]].'''</small>
|- style="background:#fdd;"
![[1990 Philadelphia Eagles season|PHI]]||[[1990 NFL season|1990]]
||10||6||0||{{Winning percentage|10|6|0}}||'''2nd in NFC East'''|| 0  || 1  || {{Winning percentage|0|1}}  || <small>'''Lost to [[1990 Washington Redskins season|Washington Redskins]] in [[1990–91 NFL playoffs|NFC Wild Card Game]].'''</small>
|-
! colspan="2"|PHI Total||43||35||1||{{Winning percentage|43|35|1}}||||0||3||{{Winning percentage|0|3}}||
|-
![[1994 Arizona Cardinals season|ARI]]||[[1994 NFL season|1994]]
||8||8||0||{{Winning percentage|8|8|0}}||3rd in NFC East|| –  || –  || –  || –
|-
![[1995 Arizona Cardinals season|ARI]]||[[1995 NFL season|1995]]
||4||12||0||{{Winning percentage|4|12|0}}||5th in NFC East|| –  || –  || –  || –
|-
! colspan="2"|ARI Total||12||20||0||{{Winning percentage|12|20|0}}||||0||0||.000||
|-
! colspan="2"|Total||55||55||1||{{Winning percentage|55|55|1}}||||0||3||{{Winning percentage|0|3}}|| 
|}

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

{{Philadelphia Eagles coach navbox}}
{{Arizona Cardinals coach navbox}}
{{Arizona Cardinals general manager navbox}}
{{Super Bowl III}}
{{Super Bowl XX}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ryan, Buddy}}
[[Category:1931 births]]
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