ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, January 29, 1997 TAG: 9701290031
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: NFL NOTES
SOURCE: From Associated Press and Washington Post reports
Mike Ditka returned to the city of his greatest football triumph with the Chicago Bears 11 years ago, taking over as coach of the New Orleans Saints, the second-worst team in the NFL.
There were tears in his eyes and a catch in his voice as Ditka, who symbolized the tough, no-nonsense style of play that endeared him to Chicago's blue collar fans, was introduced Tuesday as Jim Mora's replacement.
``Life to me is about challenges and climbing mountains and that's what I intend to do, try and climb another mountain,'' said Ditka, whose Bears beat the New England Patriots 46-10 in the '86 Super Bowl in New Orleans.
Ditka, back in the NFL after a four-year stint as an analyst for NBC, is the latest coach to leave the broadcast booth. Earlier this month, Dick Vermeil returned as coach of the St. Louis Rams after 14 years, and last year Jimmy Johnson replaced Don Shula in Miami after a two-year stay at Fox Sports.
The 57-year-old Ditka signed a three-year contract. Terms were not disclosed, but Ditka said the deal did not include team ownership.
Although the Saints had their first-ever winning seasons, won the NFC West and went to the playoffs under Mora, they have never advanced past the first round.
Ditka said former Saints wide receiver Danny Abramowicz, special teams coach in Chicago, would be his offensive coordinator and former Giants secondary coach Zaven Yaralian would be defensive coordinator.
Saints interim coach Rick Venturi was retained as assistant head coach and linebackers coach; Bobby April will remain as special teams coach.
Ditka was elected to the Hall of Fame for his 12 seasons as a tight end - with the Bears, Eagles and Cowboys.
He was an assistant coach for Dallas when the Bears made him their coach in 1982. He led Chicago to a 112-68 record, six NFC Central titles, three NFC championship games and the Bears' only Super Bowl victory.
LENGTH: Short : 45 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: (headshot) Ditkaby CNB