Ex-Eagles, Jets coach Buddy Ryan dies at 82
Buddy Ryan, who helped coach the New York Jets to a stunning upset victory in Super Bowl III and was later the architect of the Chicago Bears' championship "46 Defense," has died at age 82, ESPN reported Tuesday morning citing Ryan's agent.
Ryan was a defensive line coach with the Jets in 1968, according to Pro-Football-Reference.com, when the then-American Football League team advanced to its only Super Bowl and shocked the Baltimore Colts, 16-7, putting the wheels in motion for the AFL-NFL merger two years later.
In 1986, Ryan left a defensive coordinator position with the Bears -- just after he was carried off the field following Chicago's Super Bowl XX victory, the ESPN report said -- to become head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles. He held that post for five seasons, and also worked for the Minnesota Vikings, Houston Oilers and Arizona Cardinals over a 35-year NFL coaching career, ESPN said.
Ryan's twin sons, Rex and Rob, are both NFL coaches, according to ESPN. Rex Ryan, also a Jets alum, is now the head coach of the Buffalo Bills and Rob Ryan is an assistant coach with the team.
Patrick Lavery produces "New Jersey's First News" and is New Jersey 101.5's morning drive breaking news reporter. Follow him on Twitter @plavery1015 or email patrick.lavery@townsquaremedia.com.