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Mike Ditka
Mike Ditka was named the 12th head coach of the Saints on January 28, 1997. He signed
a five-year contract extension, 8/5/98, placing him under contract through the 2002
season. Ditka is currently the only active NFL coach in the Hall of Fame. Ditka came to
the Saints after spending four years as an NFL commentator and analyst on the NFL on
NBC.
Ditka has realized success as an All-American at the University of Pittsburgh, NFL
Rookie of the Year (1961), All-Pro (1961-66), Super Bowl Champion as a player with
Dallas (1972), Super Bowl champion as an assistant coach with Dallas (1977) and Super
Bowl Champion as head coach of the Chicago Bears (1986).
During his 11 years with the Bears, Ditka's teams dominated the NFC Central with 52 regular season
victories between 1985-88. This mark is the most ever by an NFL team in any four year period. Ditka ranks
second among every Bears coach in both tenure and victories. Ditka coached the Bears to six NFC Central
titles, three appearances in the NFC title game, and a Super Bowl victory In 1985. Ditka was named Coach
of the Year during the same season in which he suffered a mid-season heart attack
Ditka began his NFL career in 1961 when he was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the first round (fifth
overall) from the University of Pittsburgh. Ditka's impact was immediate earning NFL Rookie of the Year
honors. Ditka played six total seasons with the Bears, earning Pro Bowl honors in each of his years with the
Bears, before being traded to Philadelphia in 1967. After spending two years with the Eagles he was traded to
Dallas where he played four more years. He caught a touchdown pass in the Cowboys' 24-3 victory over the
Dolphins in Super Bowl VI.
The final tribute to Ditka's playing career was bestowed upon him 16 years after his retirement from football
when he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (July 30, 1988). Ditka retired from playing football
following the 1972 season, but was soon hired by Cowboys' head coach Tom Landry as an offensive assistant
and special teams coach. In Ditka's nine seasons as an assistant with the Cowboys, his teams were in the
playoffs eight times, won six divisional titles, three NFC Championships, and the Super Bowl following the
1977 campaign.
He is actively involved in numerous charitable endeavors including Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Sports
Teams Organized for Prevention of Drug Abuse, and the Say No to Drugs campaign. The Mike Ditka
Foundation, established in 1989, raises money for Misericordia, a residential facility for developmentally
disabled youth, and for the pediatric AIDS program at Children's Memorial Hospital. Ditka continues to
assist his alma mater by sponsoring the Mike Ditka Endowed Scholarship Fund at the University of
Pittsburgh to which he will contribute $100,000 throughout the 1990's.
Since his days with the Chicago Bears, Ditka has opened Iron Mike's Grille, located in the Tremont Hotel in
Chicago. His favorite hobby remains golf to which he plays to a six handicap. He also has a collection of
antique cars and a Harley Davidson.
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