ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, January 26, 1997 TAG: 9701280015
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-11 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: NFL NOTES
SOURCE: From Associated Press reports
Mike Ditka, who guided the Chicago Bears to a Super Bowl championship 11 years ago, will become coach of the New Orleans Saints, ESPN and NBC reported Saturday.
Saints spokesman Rusty Kasmiersky said he spoke with owner Tom Benson on Saturday, but ``had nothing to add.'' General manager Bill Kuharich and interim coach Rick Venturi were unavailable for comment.
``When Tom is ready to say something, he'll let you know,'' Kasmiersky said.
Ditka, who led the Bears to a Super Bowl victory in the 1985 season and was coach of the year twice, agreed to terms Saturday, ESPN reported. NBC, for whom Ditka has worked the past four years as an analyst, confirmed he had taken the Saints job.
Ditka, 57, could not be reached immediately for comment.
Jim Mora, the Saints' coach since 1986 and the only coach in the 30-year history of the franchise to produce winning seasons and playoff berths, quit after the team lost six of its first eight games in 1996. He cited personal reasons.
With Venturi as coach, the Saints lost seven of their last eight games while playing the league's easiest schedule and finished at 3-13, their second-worst record since the NFL went to a 16-game schedule in 1978. New Orleans was 1-15 in 1980.
Ditka was an assistant coach for Dallas before becoming the Bears' head coach in 1982. He guided Chicago to a 112-68 record, six NFC Central Division titles, three NFC championship games and the Bears' only Super Bowl victory, a 46-10 rout of New England 11 years ago.
Ditka, who was named the league's coach of the year in 1985 and '88, was fired by the Bears in 1993 and became an analyst for NBC.
Ditka has had some health problems, including heart trouble and three hip surgeries. His right hip was replaced in 1984, and his left hip was replaced in 1992.
In other NFL news:
KELLY DONE?: Quarterback Jim Kelly is looking to finalize a $1 million retirement settlement with the Buffalo Bills, sources close to the team said.
Kelly and Bills owner Ralph Wilson were working on a deal that would satisfy an agreement during training camp that called for a new contract for Kelly. The two were in New Orleans, site of the Super Bowl, on Saturday.
``I can't talk about it now,'' Kelly said. ``Now is not the time.''
Before the 1996 season began, Kelly said he was promised by Wilson in a handshake agreement that a new deal would be worked out after the season was over. However, Wilson never has discussed details of that meeting.
At the time, Kelly told the owner he wanted a contract that would pay him nearly $6 million, a deal similar to those given to fellow quarterbacks Dan Marino and John Elway. Kelly was paid about $4 million last year and was looking to play for two more years.
The sources, who requested anonymity, said $1 million would be enough to send Kelly into retirement. It was unclear what would happen if the Bills declined to meet his demands.
Bills coach Marv Levy has not confirmed or denied Kelly's retirement plans, saying he would not discuss personnel decisions.
Kelly is expected to announce his retirement next week after playing 11 years for Buffalo, and leading the Bills to four consecutive Super Bowl appearances to start the 1990s. Buffalo lost all four.
PRO BOWL: Quarterbacks Mark Brunell of Jacksonville and Gus Frerotte of Washington will go to the Pro Bowl as replacements for John Elway and Troy Aikman, respectively.
Brunell will be an AFC replacement for Denver's Elway, who has a shoulder injury. Frerotte will be an NFC replacement for Dallas' Aikman, who has calf and elbow injuries.
Brunell passed for a league-leading 4,367 yards and led the second-year Jaguars to the AFC championship game.
Frerotte passed for a career-high 3,453 yards and led the Redskins to a 9-7 record, their first winning season since 1992.
LENGTH: Medium: 79 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: AP. Mike Ditka guided the Chicago Bears to a Super Bowlby CNBvictory over the New England Patriots after the 1985 season.