Mike Ditka

Mike Ditka (born October 18, 1939, in the Pittsburgh suburb of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania) is a former NFL player, coach, and television commentator best known for his 11-year stint as head coach of the Chicago Bears. He is the only person to have won a Super Bowl as a player, assistant coach, and head coach; and was the only participant in the Chicago Bears two championships in the modern era, as a player in 1963 and as head coach in 1985.

Coach

Retiring after the 1972 season, Ditka was immediately hired as an assistant coach by Cowboys' head coach Tom Landry. Ditka spent nine seasons as an assistant coach with the Cowboys. During his tenure, the Cowboys made the playoffs eight times, won six division titles and three NFC Championships, including the one preceding their Super Bowl victory in 1977.

Related Topics:
1972 - Assistant coach - Tom Landry

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In 1982,Chicago Bears founder George Halas personally sought out Ditka to take over the head coaching reins, and reverse what had been a mostly dreary performance by the team in the years since Halas retired as head coach. Reversing the Bears' pitiful record of only two winning seasons in the previous nineteen, Ditka led the Bears to six NFC Central titles and three trips to the NFC Championship. Ditka's coaching career hit its pinnacle in January 1986 with a 46-10 trouncing of the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX. Football commentators widely regard the 1985 Bears defense as one of the best ever.

Related Topics:
1982 - George Halas - NFC Championship - New England Patriots - Super Bowl XX

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He was awarded Coach of the Year honors in 1985 and 1988 by The Sporting News, the Associated Press, and pro football writers.

Related Topics:
Coach of the Year - 1985 - 1988 - The Sporting News - Associated Press

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Ditka was noted for making headlines regardless of what happened on the field. In 1983, he broke his wrist after punching a locker in an angry halftime tirade. In the midst of a very successful 1988 season, Ditka suffered a heart attack, but bounced back quickly. On another occasion, he whipped a giant wad of chewing gum at a San Francisco 49ers fan who heckled him during a Monday night drubbing.

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Ditka was fired by the Bears following the 1992 season. In 1997, he returned to coach the New Orleans Saints, which he refers to as the "3 worst years" of his life. Ditka was roundly criticized for the trading of all of the team's 1999 draft picks to the Washington Redskins in order to move up in the draft and select Texas RB Ricky Williams. Over a total of 14 seasons as a head coach, Ditka amassed a record of 127-101-0.

Related Topics:
New Orleans Saints - Washington Redskins - Ricky Williams

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