Longtime NFL coach Buddy Ryan died Tuesday at age 82, his agent has confirmed.
Ryan began his NFL coaching career in 1968 as the defensive line coach for the New York Jets, which during his tenure won Super Bowl III against the Baltimore Colts.
He remained with the Jets until 1975, and after brief stints as the defensive line coach with the Minnesota Vikings, Ryan became the defensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears in 1978. Ryan’s defensive schemes were essential to the Bears’ success in 1985, as the team compiled a 15-1 regular-season record, two blowout playoff wins and a 46-10 romp over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX.
Ryan was the head coach for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1986-90 and the Arizona Cardinals from 1994-95, compiling a record of 55-55-1.
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Coaching runs in Ryan’s family: Rex and Rob, his twin sons, have held various positions with a number of NFL teams. Currently, Rex is the head coach of the Buffalo Bills, and brother Rob is the Bills’ assistant head coach.
Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera, who played for the 1985 Bears, took to Twitter to remember his mentor:
#RipBuddyRyan thx 4 being my first defensive influence. The #NFL has lost another defensive innovator. #46Defense
— Ron Rivera (@RiverboatRonHC) June 28, 2016
