Buddy Ryan coached in the NFL from 1968 to 1995, spanning 26 seasons with 6 organizations. He served as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals and Philadelphia Eagles. His roles included Defensive Coordinator, Defensive Line, and Linebackers. He worked under Bud Grant, Charley Winner, and Jack Pardee. 4 of his former assistants went on to become NFL head coaches.

Coaching Tree

Head Coach Offense Defense Special Teams General

Career Timeline

Career History

Year	Team	Role(s)
1995	Arizona Cardinals	Head Coach HC
1994	Arizona Cardinals	Head Coach HC
1993	Houston Oilers	Defensive Coordinator under Jack Pardee
1990	Philadelphia Eagles	Head Coach HC
1989	Philadelphia Eagles	Head Coach HC
1988	Philadelphia Eagles	Head Coach HC
1987	Philadelphia Eagles	Head Coach HC
1986	Philadelphia Eagles	Head Coach HC
1985	Chicago Bears	Defensive Coordinator under Mike Ditka
1984	Chicago Bears	Defensive Coordinator under Mike Ditka
1983	Chicago Bears	Defensive Coordinator under Mike Ditka
1982	Chicago Bears	Defensive Coordinator under Mike Ditka
1981	Chicago Bears	Defensive Coordinator under Neill Armstrong
1980	Chicago Bears	Defensive Coordinator under Neill Armstrong
1979	Chicago Bears	Defensive Coordinator under Neill Armstrong
1978	Chicago Bears	Defensive Coordinator under Neill Armstrong
1977	Minnesota Vikings	Defensive Line under Bud Grant
1976	Minnesota Vikings	Defensive Line under Bud Grant
1975	New York Jets	Linebackers under Charley Winner
1974	New York Jets	Linebackers under Charley Winner
1973	New York Jets	Defensive Line under Weeb Ewbank
1972	New York Jets	Defensive Line under Weeb Ewbank
1971	New York Jets	Defensive Line under Weeb Ewbank
1970	New York Jets	Defensive Line under Weeb Ewbank
1969	New York Jets	Defensive Line under Weeb Ewbank
1968	New York Jets	Defensive Line under Weeb Ewbank

Worked Under (7)

Coach	Team	Years
Bud Grant	Minnesota Vikings	2
Charley Winner	New York Jets	2
Jack Pardee	Houston Oilers	1
Mike Ditka	Chicago Bears	4
Neill Armstrong	Chicago Bears	4
Weeb Ewbank	New York Jets	2
Weeb Ewbank	New York Jets	4

Protégés (4)

Coach	First HC Job	Year
RK Rich Kotite	Philadelphia Eagles	1991
Wade Phillips	Denver Broncos	1993
Jeff Fisher	Houston Oilers	1995
Rex Ryan	New York Jets	2009