Buddy Ryan’s colorful life

1931: Born on Feb. 17 in Frederick, Okla. 1952-55: Earns four letters as a guard at Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State). 1957: Begins coaching career as an assistant at Texas’ Gainesville High School. 1959: Takes over as Gainesville’s head coach for one season. 1961-65: After completing service in the military, gets his first college job as defensive line coach at the University of Buffalo. 1966: Coaches as an assistant at the University of the Pacific. 1967: Completes college coaching career as an assistant at Vanderbilt. 1968-75: Takes first NFL job as linebackers coach for the New York Jets, who in his first season defeat the heavily favored Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III. 1976-77: Serves as defensive line coach for the Minnesota Vikings, who in his first season lose to the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XI. 1978-85: Serves as defensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears, with whom he creates the 46 defense, which proves instrumental for the 1985 championship team that finishes 18-1 and demolishes the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX. 1986-90: Goes 43-351 in five seasons as the Philadelphia Eagles’ coach but is 0-3 in playoff games. 1993: Serves as defensive coordinator for the Oilers, who win their last 11 regular-season games (despite Ryan’s sideline altercation with offensive cooardinator Kevin Gilbride during the finale against the Jets)- before being upset by the Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs. 1994-95: Goes 12-20 in two seasons as the Arizona Cardinals’ coach.