Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Mike Ditka, Hall of Fame Player and Bears Coach, Dies at 86
Mike Ditka was a famous football player and coach.
His family announced that he died at age 86.
As a player, he was one of the first tight ends to have a season with more than 1,000 receiving yards.
He later coached the Chicago Bears.
His 1985 team won the Super Bowl by beating the New England Patriots 46-10.
Ditka also played on championship teams with the Bears and Dallas Cowboys.
He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988.
After leaving Chicago, he coached the New Orleans Saints.
Mike Ditka’s family announced Friday that the Hall of Fame tight end and coach had died at 86.
Ditka coached the Chicago Bears from 1982 to 1992, reaching the playoffs seven times.
The 1985 Bears went 15-1 and defeated the New England Patriots 46-10 in Super Bowl XX.
As a player, Ditka was a fifth overall pick in 1961 and played for the Bears, Eagles and Cowboys.
He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988 and later coached the New Orleans Saints.
- Who
- Mike Ditka, Hall of Fame tight end and coach.
- What
- Ditka died at age 86, according to his family.
- When
- His family announced his death on Friday; the article does not specify the date.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- Not stated.
Conflict and controversy
Results and achievement
Ditka’s coaching style
Conflict and controversy
The article says his temper was part of the job and that he clashed with quarterback Jim McMahon and defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan.
Results and achievement
Despite those clashes, Ditka led the Bears to the franchise’s only Super Bowl title.
New Orleans tenure
Conflict and controversy
Ditka went 15–33 in three seasons with the Saints; his tenure is also associated with a trade of eight draft picks for Ricky Williams.
Results and achievement
The article provides no countervailing assessment of his Saints results.
- Age
- 86
- Chicago coaching tenure
- 1982–1992
- Bears playoff appearances under Ditka
- Seven
- 1985 Bears record
- 15–1
- Super Bowl XX score
- Chicago Bears 46, New England Patriots 10
- Hall of Fame induction
- 1988; first tight end inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
- New Orleans Saints coaching record
- 15–33 over three years