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Former Arizona Cardinals’ head coach Buddy Ryan dead at 82

By Jim Koch

Sep 27, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Fans display a sign as Arizona Cardinals defensive players huddle against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals won 47-7. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Fans display a sign as Arizona Cardinals defensive players huddle against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals won 47-7. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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While success with the Arizona Cardinals eluded him Ryan will be remembered as one of the all-time great defensive minds

With each passing caller the love and admiration for one James David “Buddy” Ryan became more and more apparent.

Philadelphia sports talk phone lines were flooded, fans waiting to show respect for the deceased former coach. Some wanting to share actual personal experiences they had with the man.

Being from the Philly area I personally can attest to the love the city had and still has for the former head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles and Arizona Cardinals.

While he came off as abrasive and clearly spoke his mind (sometimes to the detriment of others) the stories sports talk fans relayed were of a very affable and approachable gentleman. My brother Chuck, a staunch Eagles supporter, reminisced of seeing Buddy and his second wife Joanie in a popular South Philly diner. What he witnessed was Ryan accommodating every autograph seeker, never seeming bothered by the attention he was receiving.

His coaching stint in Arizona lasted only two seasons. He was extremely loyal, bringing many of his players to the desert with him. A list that included Seth Joyner, Clyde Simmons, Wilber Marshall, Jim McMahon, Terry Hoage, Ben Smith, Jeff Feagles, Mark Higgs and the late Andre Waters.

In his first season with the Cards, in 1994, Ryan had the team headed in the right direction. They went 8 and 8, the organization’s first non-losing season since 1984 when they were still the St.Louis Cardinals.

1995, on the other hand was a disaster. The team lost seven of their last eight games, including a Christmas night, nationally televised drubbing by the Dallas Cowboys. The final straw may have been Ryan leaving the field early, apparently thinking time had run out. He was fired the next day.

Ryan’s Achilles heel as a head coach was his inability to put a good offense on the field. At times it seemed he actually ignored that side of the ball, putting most of his time and energy into his beloved defenses.

What was never questioned was his ability as a defensive coordinator. He invented the aggressive “46” defense which some believe was the main reason the Chicago Bears won Super Bowl XX.

And now he is gone. He will be missed by many around the NFL and I don’t doubt that some of his schemes will continue to be used by young, up and coming defensive coordinators.

Rest in peace Buddy.

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