Remembering Buddy Ryan: The Original And Innovative Coach
Remembering the late, great Buddy Ryan
The football world lost a legend today, as according to reports, Buddy Ryan has passed away. I know this is a Ravens blog, but I had to say a few words about the innovative coach and what he meant to the football world. Ravens fans may know him as the father of former defensive coordinator Rex Ryan. Buddy Ryan was one of the defensive geniuses that helped shape the game.
He was the defensive coordinator of the 1985 Chicago Bears. Many believe that defense was the greatest defense of all time. Ryan came up with the 46 Bear defense. In an era where the running game was heavily leaned on, it stifled many offensive attacks. The basic concept was crowding the inside gaps. The 46 defense featured defensive tackles over the center and both guards. With the talent the Bears had, this made running inside an impossibility.
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Ryan also was a head coach for the Philadelphia Eagles and the Arizona Cardinals. Ryan was 55-55-1 as a head coach. While his overall record was not amazing, he did have some great seasons with the Eagles. From 1998-1990 he had three seasons with 10 or more wins.
Ryan had three kids, two of which you know as NFL coaches. After being the defensive coordinator for the Ravens, Rex Ryan became the head coach of the New York Jets. Rex took the Jets to two straight AFC Championship games. There were some good times, he just could not make him last. Now Rob Ryan, who has had defensive coordinator jobs with the Browns, Cowboys and Saints is Rex’s defensive coordinator with the Buffalo Bills. Both Ryan brothers are charismatic and both know NFL defense like the back of their hand. Buddy Ryan was the original.
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Like his sons, Buddy Ryan is a guy that some people loved, others loved to hate. He was not shy, and he said what was on his mind. Today we should remember Ryan as the great football man he was. We should look back at the good times and appreciate that he was one of the innovators of the game. The football world lost a man who changed the game today. He will be missed.