Legacy
Ryan was an assistant on three different teams to make the Super Bowl (New York Jets, Chicago, Minnesota). Ryan built his reputation as a defensive specialist and was largely credited with implementing and perfecting the 46 defense.
As a head coach, Ryan enjoyed limited success with the Eagles. Although he quickly rebuilt the Eagles roster into a consistent NFC playoff contender, he never won a playoff game with the team. The 1991 Philadelphia Eagles defense, with a majority of players that Ryan selected, was one of the most statistically accomplished defenses in NFL history. The 1991 Eagles led the league in fewest passing yards allowed and fewest rushing yards allowed. Hence the Eagles led the NFL in Total Defense by a wide margin.
Ryan did not enjoy equal success as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, missing the playoffs in both his seasons with the franchise.
Stephen Majewski dedicated his book "Great Linebackers" (MetroBooks, 1997) to Ryan.
As of November 2012, Buddy's twin sons are both NFL coaches; Rex Ryan works as the head coach of the New York Jets and Rob Ryan works as the defensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys.
Read more about this topic: Buddy Ryan
Famous quotes containing the word legacy:
“What is popularly called fame is nothing but an empty name and a legacy from paganism.”
—Desiderius Erasmus (c. 1466–1536)