Buddy Ryan, an innovative defensive coach in the National Football League, died Tuesday at age 82, according to multiple reports.
Ryan, who led the famed 1985 Chicago Bears defense and served as head coach for the Philadelphia Eagles and Arizona Cardinals, had fought cancer in recent years. His tough demeanor and blitz-heavy style rubbed off on coaches who followed him, including his sons Rex and Rob.
Mike Ditka, the head coach of the 1985 Bears, said Tuesday that "there will never be another guy like Buddy," according to NFL.com.
Ryan was born and raised in Oklahoma and served in the U.S. Army. He got his NFL coaching start with the Buffalo Bills following experience at the high school and college levels.
He was the defensive line coach for the New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings before taking over the Bears defensive coordinator job in the late 1970s.
Ryan was known for creating mayhem on the field and speaking out against the coddling of quarterbacks, according to NFL.com.
Read the full NFL.com report here.
The news of Ryan's death came on the same day that pioneering women's basketball coach Pat Summitt's family announced that she died. The sports community remembered both of the coaches on Tuesday.
Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera called Ryan his "first defensive influence."
Urban Meyer called Ryan and Summitt "legendary."
Deion Sanders said Ryan and Summitt represented hard work and tenacity.
Mack Brown called Ryan one of the most influential defensive coaches.