Buddy Ryan
Coaching Record
| Years Coached | Record | Win % | Playoff record | Playoff win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | 205-181-2 | 53.09% | 9-9 | 50.00% |
Coaching Tree
Parents:
Neill Armstrong, Mike Ditka, Weeb Ewbank, Bud Grant, Charley Winner
Children:
Jeff Fisher, Rich Kotite, Wade Phillips, Rex Ryan
Biography
Table of Contents
Career Summary
Buddy Ryan was a football coach in the National Football League (NFL) from 1968 to 1995, finishing his career as the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals. Over his twenty-six years of coaching his teams compiled a cumulative win/loss record of 205-181-2. During his career he was a head coach for seven seasons, first with the Philadelphia Eagles. He led the Eagles for five seasons, compiling a record of 43-35-1. His next head coaching stint was with the Arizona Cardinals from 1994 to 1995, as he led the team to a 12-20-0 record. He was fired from the Cardinals on Wednesday, December 27, 1995. During his entire head coaching career, his two teams combined for a record of 55-55-1 across seven seasons including going 0-3-0 in the playoffs.
Career Awards
During his time as defensive coordinator and head coach he coached three players to award-winning seasons. As the defensive coordinator for the Bears Mike Singletary won AP Defensive Player of the Year. As the head coach for the Cardinals Garrison Hearst won Comeback Player of the Year. As the head coach for the Eagles Reggie White won AP Defensive Player of the Year.
Buddy Ryan Coaching Tree
Before he was a head coach, Ryan served as an assistant coach for Weeb Ewbank, Charley Winner, Bud Grant, Neill Armstrong, Mike Ditka, and Jack Pardee. Six of these years were spent on Ewbank's coaching staff. During his time as head coach, four assistant coaches, (Jeff Fisher, Wade Phillips, Rich Kotite, and Rex Ryan) on his coaching staff were hired as head coaches across the league. His coaching tree has combined for a record of 352-339-1 in the regular season and 11-13 in the playoffs during their forty-four seasons as head coach after serving on his coaching staffs.
Playing Career
Ryan played offensive guard while at college.
Personal Information
Ryan was born on Tuesday, February 17, 1931 in Frederick, Oklahoma. He died on Tuesday, June 28, 2016 at the age of 85. Ryan was married to Doris Ryan for eleven years, and the couple had three sons together, Jim, Rex, and Rob. Both Rex and Rob eventually had their own NFL coaching career. One grandson, Seth Ryan, has also started his own coaching career in 2019 with the Chargers. Ryan's and his second wife, Joanie, married in 1970. They were together until her death in 2013. He passed away on June 28th, 2016, at the age of 85.
History
| Year | Position | Record | Playoff record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 Arizona Cardinals | Head Coach | 4-12-0 | 0-0 |
| 1994 Arizona Cardinals | Head Coach | 8-8-0 | 0-0 |
| 1993 Houston Oilers | Defensive Coordinator | 12-4-0 | 0-1 |
| 1990 Philadelphia Eagles | Head Coach | 10-6-0 | 0-1 |
| 1989 Philadelphia Eagles | Head Coach | 11-5-0 | 0-1 |
| 1988 Philadelphia Eagles | Head Coach | 10-6-0 | 0-1 |
| 1987 Philadelphia Eagles | Head Coach | 7-8-0 | 0-0 |
| 1986 Philadelphia Eagles | Head Coach | 5-10-1 | 0-0 |
| 1985 Chicago Bears | Defensive Coordinator | 15-1-0 | 3-0 |
| 1984 Chicago Bears | Defensive Coordinator | 10-6-0 | 1-1 |
| 1983 Chicago Bears | Defensive Coordinator | 8-8-0 | 0-0 |
| 1982 Chicago Bears | Defensive Coordinator | 3-6-0 | 0-0 |
| 1981 Chicago Bears | Defensive Coordinator | 6-10-0 | 0-0 |
| 1980 Chicago Bears | Defensive Coordinator | 7-9-0 | 0-0 |
| 1979 Chicago Bears | Defensive Coordinator | 10-6-0 | 0-1 |
| 1978 Chicago Bears | Defensive Coordinator | 7-9-0 | 0-0 |
| 1977 Minnesota Vikings | Defensive Line Coach | 9-5-0 | 1-1 |
| 1976 Minnesota Vikings | Defensive Line Coach | 11-2-1 | 2-1 |
| 1975 New York Jets | Defensive Line Coach | 3-11-0 | 0-0 |
| 1974 New York Jets | Defensive Line Coach | 7-7-0 | 0-0 |
| 1973 New York Jets | Defensive Line Coach | 4-10-0 | 0-0 |
| 1972 New York Jets | Defensive Line Coach | 7-7-0 | 0-0 |
| 1971 New York Jets | Defensive Line Coach | 6-8-0 | 0-0 |
| 1970 New York Jets | Defensive Line Coach | 4-10-0 | 0-0 |
| 1969 New York Jets | Defensive Line Coach | 10-4-0 | 0-1 |
| 1968 New York Jets | Defensive Line Coach | 11-3-0 | 2-0 |
Coach history guide
| Seasons with a championship win | Seasons with a conference championship |
Coach facts
- Twin sons are NFL coaches (Rex and Rob Ryan).
- All three coached together with the Arizona Cardinals in 1994 and 1995.
- Years as head coach: 7
- Years as a coordinator: 9
- Championships won: 1968 and 1985
- Conference Championships won: 1976 and 1985
- Fifth in total wins for the Philadelphia Eagles.
- Past teams coached for: Arizona Cardinals, Houston Oilers, Philadelphia Eagles, Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets
- College Attended: Oklahoma State Cowboys
- Position Played: Offensive Guard
- Family Members: Rex Ryan, Son; Rob Ryan, Son; and Seth Ryan, Grandson
- Date of Birth: Tuesday, February 17, 1931 (85 years old), Frederick, Oklahoma
- Buddy Ryan developed the 46 Defense during his time as Defensive Coordinator with the Bears