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Arizona Cardinals: 8 head coaches ranked

By Scott Allen

Jan 24, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians on the sidelines during the third quarter against the Carolina Panthers in the NFC Championship football game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians on the sidelines during the third quarter against the Carolina Panthers in the NFC Championship football game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 13, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Former NFL coach Buddy Ryan on the sideline before the game between the Buffalo Bills and the Indianapolis Colts at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Buddy
Sep 13, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Former NFL coach Buddy Ryan on the sideline before the game between the Buffalo Bills and the Indianapolis Colts at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Buddy /

8. Buddy Ryan

“You’ve got a winner in town” was one of the first words muttered by former Cardinals head coach Buddy Ryan in his introductory press conference.  Well, he did provide the Cardinals with the first non-losing season in the desert when they went 8-8 in in 1994, his first season with the team.

He only lasted two seasons in the desert though.  In 1995, his second and final season with the Cardinals, the team finished 4-12.

The lasting impression that Ryan gave to Cardinals fans was running off the field in the season-finale on Christmas Night at Sun Devil Stadium against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football.  The game had not ended but clearly Ryan had enough and so did the organization.

It was a huge disappointment that Ryan could not translate his success as the Chicago Bears defensive coordinator, Philadelphia Eagles head coach and Houston Oilers defensive coordinator days before moving to Arizona. 1994 was just a tease.

The Cardinals got that national television game partly on their success in 1994.  However once Ryan ran off that field, his fate was sealed.  The Cardinals didn’t have a winner in town.  They had a loser leaving it.

Next: Maybe a drum would have performed better?

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