Ryan Signs 5-Year Eagle Contract

Philadelphia Eagle owner Norman Braman said that Chicago Bear defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan signed a contract Tuesday to become head coach of the Eagles.

“I can confirm that we’ve signed Ryan,” Braman told the Associated Press when reached by phone at his Miami home. The Eagles have scheduled a press conference for today to announce the signing.

Eagle General Manager Harry Gamble said lengthy negotiations ended with Ryan’s signing a five-year pact. The signing came two days after the Bears won the National Football League title with a 46-10 victory over New England in the Super Bowl.

Bear spokesman Bryan Harlan said Ryan had two seasons to go on his current contract with the Bears. He would not reveal how much the defensive coach was being paid.

“Buddy had an escape clause in his contract which allowed him to break the agreement if he was offered a head coaching job,” said Harlan, who added that Bears president Mike McCaskey did not try to talk Ryan into staying.

“It’s pretty tough to deprive a man of his career advancement,” Harlan said.

Ryan, an assistant in the NFL for 18 years with the New York Jets, Minnesota and the Bears, is to succeed Marion Campbell, who was fired by Braman Dec. 16 before the final game of the season.