Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 20, 1993 TAG: 9301200015
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: CHICAGO LENGTH: Medium
BEARS RAID DALLAS AGAIN FOR COACH, HIRE WANNSTEDT
The Chicago Bears dipped into Dallas for another hands-on, emotional coach Tuesday, picking Cowboys defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt to replace Mike Ditka.Ditka turned the Bears into Super Bowl champions after he came from Dallas 11 years ago, and now the Bears want Wannstedt to work the same magic. That job starts after the Cowboys play the Buffalo Bills in the Super Bowl on Jan. 31.
"It's the right opportunity and right time," Wannstedt, 40, said. "I'm anxious to get to work. The only drawback is the two weeks we have to prepare for the Super Bowl."
Wannstedt has been credited with rebuilding the Cowboys' defense into the league's best; Dallas held opponents to 15.2 points and 245.8 yards per game during the regular season.
Bears president Michael McCaskey announced Wannstedt's hiring two weeks after he fired Ditka following a 5-11 season marked by the former coach's flareups with McCaskey, players and fans.
"This is a historic day for the Chicago Bears, the passing of the torch," McCaskey said at Tuesday's news conference.
Wannstedt and Ditka have similar backgrounds. Both grew up in Pennsylvania, played college football at Pittsburgh and went to Chicago from assistant coaching jobs at Dallas.
Wannstedt's description of his coaching style is similar to Ditka's.
"I'm a hands-on coach, enthusiastic, emotional. A players' coach," Wannstedt said.
Wannstedt is excellent at developing players. The 1991 season opened for Dallas with six starters at the 11 positions and the Cowboys got into the playoffs.
This year, Wannstedt had a rookie middle linebacker and a rookie left cornerback starting for the NFL's best defense.
McCaskey took his time before firing Ditka but moved swiftly in hiring Wannstedt, who was a leading contender for the New York Giants' job.
"The talks were very intense in New York," Wannstedt said. "That was as far as it really went."
He said taking the Chicago job was an easy decision.
"It all starts at the top," he said. "You surround yourself with people who are committed. After several meetings with Mike, I feel comfortable, and I'm very excited about the direction that the Chicago Bears will take in the '90s."
McCaskey declined to give specifics on Wannstedt's "multiyear" contract.
Wannstedt won't discuss his plans for hiring assistants until after the Super Bowl, although Cowboys offensive-line coach Tony Wise, a close friend, could be headed to Chicago. Wise said he will not comment until after the Super Bowl.
"I need the respect and like to have good rapport with players," Wannstedt said. "I know the Bears are very talented, but you always look in all areas for improvement."
Wannstedt followed Dallas coach Jimmy Johnson from the University of Miami in 1989. The Cowboys were 1-15 that season but improved to 7-9 in 1990, 11-5 in 1991 and 15-3 this season, including playoff victories against Philadelphia and San Francisco.
"I'm sure some of the fans will wonder if I'm tough enough to be in Chicago," Wannstedt said. "I'm tough enough and I'm looking forward to the challenge."
Johnson has nothing but praise for Wannstedt, who also has served as assistant head coach since last January.
"Dave Wannstedt and I have been together 16 years, and we're extremely close personal friends," Johnson said last week. "He will do an outstanding job. He's a tremendous coach and the players love to play for him. We will miss him."
Wannstedt played offensive tackle for Pitt from 1970-73, serving as captain of the 1973 Panthers.
Chosen in the 15th round of the 1974 entry draft by the Green Bay Packers, Wannstedt spent his only season on injured reserve.
Keywords:
FOOTBALL