EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. —
Ryan coached Vikings defensive linemen from 1976-77 on Hall of Fame Head Coach Bud Grant’s staff before becoming Bears defensive coordinator (1978-85) where he perfected the 46 defense and helped win Super Bowl XX with another epic defense.
The 1976 Vikings won the NFC Championship with a 24-13 victory over the Los Angeles Rams in the final playoff game at Metropolitan Stadium to earn a trip to Super Bowl XI. That team outscored opponents 305 to 176.
The 1977 squad won the NFC Central for a fifth-straight year and made it to the NFC Championship game.