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10 unusual facts about Buddy Ryan


Al Roberts

After one-year stints on the college staffs at Purdue University (1986) and the University of Wyoming (1987) as running backs and special teams coach, he joined Buddy Ryan with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1988.

Cris Dishman

Dishman's 1993 season, however, started off very productively, with the help of new defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan.

Dale Haupt

In 1986, Haupt joined Bears defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan in leaving the team to join the Philadelphia Eagles, and was replaced by John Levra.

Garry Cobb

While with the Eagles, Cobb was a teammate with quarterback Randall Cunningham and played in one of coach Buddy Ryan's most dominant defensive front units which included Jerome Brown, Clyde Simmons, Seth Joyner and Hall of Famer Reggie White.

Herman Edwards

Remarkably he never missed a game in 9 seasons with the Eagles, remaining active with the team for 135 consecutive regular-season games until being cut by then-incoming Head Coach Buddy Ryan in 1986.

Junior Tautalatasi

Buddy Ryan, Tautalatasi's coach with the Philadelphia Eagles, was unable to pronounce his last name and referred to him most often as "Junior Smith".

Luis Zendejas

While playing for the Dallas Cowboys, he was the purported target of the "Bounty Bowl" in which the Philadelphia Eagles head coach Buddy Ryan was alleged to have placed a $200 bounty on his head.

Rob Ryan

He is the son of former defensive coordinator and head coach Buddy Ryan and the twin brother of current head coach of the New York Jets, Rex Ryan.

Wes Hopkins

With Buddy Ryan as head coach from 1986 to 1990, the tandem were considered one of the hardest hitting and most feared safeties in the NFL.

Wilber Marshall

In 1993, Marshall reunited with Buddy Ryan, who had been the Bears' defensive coordinator during Marshall's first two seasons, signing a contract to play for the Houston Oilers.


Dick Offenhamer

Dick Offenhamer’s program at U.B. produced several individuals who went on to distinguished professional careers, including Gerry Philbin, a member of the NY Jets 1968 Super Bowl champions, and Buddy Ryan who was on Offenhamer staff as the defensive line coach.

Doug Plank

In 2009 he served as the assistant defensive backfield coach for the New York Jets under head coach Rex Ryan, the son of Plank's former defensive coordinator, Buddy Ryan.

Minor League Baseball

Many baseball writers of that time regarded the greatest players of the minor leagues, such as Buzz Arlett, Jigger Statz, Ike Boone, Buddy Ryan, Earl Rapp and Frank Shellenback, as comparable to major league players.