June 28, 2016
Former Philadelphia Eagles head coach Buddy Ryan passed away at the age of 82 this morning, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN, via Ryan's agent:
Sad day continues: Former NFL head coach and defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan died Tuesday, according to his agent James Solano. He was 82.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 28, 2016
After serving as the Chicago Bears' defensive coordinator from 1978 to 1985, the part of his career for which he is most famous nationally, Ryan became the head coach of the Eagles from 1986 to 1990.
In his five years with the Eagles, Ryan compiled a 43-35-1 record, making three playoff appearances, all losses. After a six-year playoff drought, the Eagles lost in the playoffs to the Bears in the Fog Bowl in 1988. The next two years they lost at home in the playoffs to the Los Angeles Rams and the Washington Redskins.
While the Eagles didn't have much in the way of playoff success, they were always highly entertaining during Ryan's tenure.
There was the "Body Bag Game" in 1990:
There was the Bounty Bowl:
Bounty Bowl II:
And of course the time the Eagles ran up the score on the Cowboys:
While he fell short in Philly, Ryan's 46 defense for the 1985 Bears is often considered the best of all time. The Bears steamrolled to the Super Bowl title that season, absolutely obliterating their opponents in the playoffs. They shut out the Giants 21-0 in the divisional round, followed by another shutout of the Los Angeles Rams 24-0 in the NFC Championship Game, and finally, a 46-10 thrashing of the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl.
Ryan's sons, Rex Ryan and Rob Ryan, are the head coach and assistant head coach, respectively, of the Buffalo Bills.
