Mike Ditka announced Wednesday that, despite Buddy Ryan`s departure, the Bears will go through with their plans to play the 1986 season.
”I bet a lot of people thought I`d be looking for the highest building to jump off of this morning,” the Bears` coach said. ”The challenge will be tremendous for us to come back. There will be a new dimension of Bears`
football. I think everyone will like it.”
Yes, there will be life after Buddy Ryan, who will be head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles next season. The Bears` defensive coordinator played an important role in this Super Bowl season, but Ditka is confident the Bears can repeat without Ryan.
Ditka has maintained all along that one player or one coach doesn`t make the program. That goes for Ryan, who was the designer of the No. 1 defense in the league, perhaps one of the best of all time.
”The success of this team is due to a lot of people–the coaches, players, management, player personnel,” Ditka said. ”It`s not any one person, not even the head coach. We didn`t win the championship just because of defense. We won it because we`re a good football team.”
Speaking of defense, Ditka doesn`t expect much difference in the bottom line.
”The Bears have always played aggressive, tough defense,” Ditka said.
”It was like that in the `60s, `50s and `40s. It never changes. It didn`t start when Buddy came here, and it won`t end when Buddy leaves here.”
Ditka was not only making these points to the media, he also was addressing his players. The defensive players revered Ryan. When they spoke about the possibility of his leaving, they sounded as if no mere mortal could take his place.
Ditka pointed out that people said that the Bears` defense would fall without Al Harris and Todd Bell. Instead, the Bears got better.
”We will overcome it,” Ditka said. ”I have to make the players believe that it`s not what you can`t do, it`s what you can do, if you want to do it.
”It`s going to be a tremendous adjustment and challenge for me and the players. The guys who can`t face the challenge will move on. The others who accept it, will play, and will play good.”
Ditka said he hopes to have a new defensive coordinator in three weeks. He didn`t rule out the possibility of selecting a coach who might change the Bears` scheme to a 3-4 defense.
”We played some 3-4 Sunday,” Ditka said. ”We can do a lot of things. It`s tough to follow a legend, but we`ll persevere. The system is only as good as the players who can play it. These guys can play any system, and play it well.”
Ditka said his phone was already ringing off the hook from applicants for the job. He also is considering hiring from within, and defensive secondary coach Jim LaRue hopes he is a candidate. Defensive line coach Dale Haupt also will be under consideration.
”I`ve talked to Mike about the possibility,” LaRue said. ”He knows I`m interested.”
One outside name that was being mentioned Wednesday was that of Richie Petitbon, Ditka`s former Bear teammate. But Ditka answered a question about his close friend, who is with the Washington Redskins, by saying, ”How could you take a shot at someone who is an assistant head coach and defensive coordinator? My understanding is that you can`t do those kind of things. I don`t think people in Washington would find that very nice.”
