Professional Football Coach. Fiery, candid and sometimes controversial, he was widely regarded as one of the greatest defensive coordinators in NFL history. He was the architect behind devising the "46 Defense," which played a major role in the Chicago Bears' capturing of Super Bowl XX in 1986. He went on to serve as head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles from 1986 to 1990 and guided his teams to three playoff berths (1988 to 1990). Born James David Ryan, he served as a master sergeant with the United States Army during the Korean War at the age of eighteen. Following his return home, he attended Oklahoma A&M, where he played at the guard position with their football squad. He began his lengthy coaching career at the high school level in Texas in 1957, prior to serving as the defensive line coach at the University of Buffalo. Ryan began his association with the National Football League in 1968, as defensive line coach under Weeb Ewbank with the New York Jets. Ryan's defensive line contributed to the Jets' surprise capturing of the world championship (Super Bowl III) in January of 1969 against the Baltimore Colts. He moved on to Minnesota and served as defensive line coach (1976 to 1977) with the Vikings' defensive unit known as the "Purple People Eaters," who made an appearance in Super Bowl XI in January 1977. Ryan served as defensive coordinator with the Chicago Bears (1978 to 1985) and under coach Mike Ditka, his defensive with Hall of Fame players Dan Hampton, Mike Singletary and Richard Dent, in addition to William 'Refrigerator' Perry earned a lopsided win of 46-10 over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX (1986). From this success, Ryan was hired as head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles and in no time, he converted a listless defense into one of the most feared in the league. Such star players as Reggie White, Clyde Simmons, Seth Joyner, Jerome Brown and Andre Waters developed under Ryan's guidance. Ryan's dislike for the Dallas Cowboys was well known throughout the league. After the Cowboys took advantage of the Eagles during the strike year of 1987, when they ran up the score in a game, Ryan sought revenge a few weeks later and called a play (in which the Eagles had a sizable lead) for which resulted in Randall Cunningham completing a touchdown pass in the closing seconds of the game to humiliate the Cowboys. Ryan was accused of ordering a cash bounty on Dallas kicker Luis Zendejas in 1989. The game played on Thanksgiving Day became known as the "Bounty Game." The Eagles would clinch three playoff berths including a division title, but failed to win in the postseason during his tenure. He was fired following the 1990 season. He served as defensive coordinator with the Houston Oilers in 1993. During that time, Ryan will be remembered for a sideline altercation with offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride which was captured on live television. Ryan served as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals from 1994 to 1995, but failed to produce a winning season. He was the father of NFL head coach Rex Ryan and NFL coordinator Rob Ryan.