Mike Ditka was one toxic man as Saints coach (2 Viewers)

[UFCSaint]

The older name of this site was ironera.com. Ditka's ineptitude made Andrus change its name. Start with the Ricky Williams trade and the SI cover. Rumor has it that Ditka made the trade during the draft and then played golf during the rest of it. He never took the job seriously. It never seemed to me that he considered the quarterback position seriously enough.

At least Bum Phillips and Jim Haslett tried to do something with the team. Ditka just didn't appear to care about it

I went to training camp in La Crosse when he was the head coach. All he did was ride around in a golf cart going from unit to unit giving his 'expert' 2 cents...then moved on to the next one. It was a joke.

 

[saint_drago]

What did Ditka say when he leaned in and said something? I didn't understand the last bit of that exchange.

 

[Pa.Saint]

Mike was old school, the game had past him by. His coaching tenure was the beginning of "you can't hurt anybody's feelings"

 

[DavidM]

What did Ditka say when he leaned in and said something? I didn't understand the last bit of that exchange.

Sounds like; "Coach, you won't call anymore. You're finished."

 

[SAINT BIGAL]

What did Ditka say when he leaned in and said something? I didn't understand the last bit of that exchange.

It sounded like he said, “you’re finished!”

 

[SweetT]

Still can’t believe the Ricky Williams trade!!! It’s been how long and I’m still shocked every time I think about it

 

[guidomerkinsrules]

also an ineffectual idiot

 

[superchuck500]

No disrespect to Iron Mike but he was a “has been” when he came to the Saints. The game had already passed him by and his coaching style had faded we'll into the past.

He also played a lot of golf. A LOT.

I was in school at the time and I also played quite a bit of golf at English Turn. I saw him out there so much that we developed a friendly smile and nod to each other.

But many times I was sort of seething beneath my smile. “Shouldn’t you be watching film or something dude?!”

 

[lavered]

That was a dark time for Saints Nation. I'm still shaking my head over it.

 

[Saint Greg]

No disrespect to Iron Mike but he was a “has been” when he came to the Saints. The game had already passed him by and his coaching style had faded we'll into the past.

He was a never was who had a great defense and a great running back and a game manager qb with the Bears.

 

[Saint Greg]

He also played a lot of golf. A LOT.

I was in school at the time and I also played quite a bit of golf at English Turn. I saw him out there so much that we developed a friendly smile and nod to each other.

But many times I was sort of seething beneath my smile. “Shouldn’t you be watching film or something dude?!”

Mike Detillier told a story about at the Ricky Williams draft press conference while on the stage Ditka asked him if his unlcle was playing golf the next day.

 

[RebSaint]

I don't even think he was a "has been", the great team he had, was because of Buddy Ryan's defence plus Walter Payton.

Ditka is the classic egomaniac with a loud mouth that just got lucky with his circumstances.

Not a good coach, even with his time at Chicago.

Yep. OVERRATED...

 

[Buickman]

He gets way too much credit for that Bears team. Jim Finks build that team, without a salary cap, I might add. When Finks came to our team, the Bears went downhill fast.

 

[rsmith2783]

That was a dark time for Saints Nation. I'm still shaking my head over it.

One thing I will give him is that he wasn't afraid to make changes at all. If you weren't performing, he would yank you pretty quick. Unfortunately he didn't do the same for his OC.

 

[whodatphil]

I just remember him and Ricky Williams getting married