WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2016 SPORTS

Buddy Ryan, NFL coach, defensive mastermind, dies at 82

KENTUCKY: , the pugnacious Cowboys-Jets game, traveling to New aggressiveness and unpredictability. Hampton then kicked a film projector out coach who masterminded two fierce Jersey despite cancer to see then-Jets Ryan’s defenders, featuring such Hall of of defensive line coach Dale Haupt’s defenses that won titles and head coach Rex go against then-Dallas Famers as linebacker and hands, and defensive tackle Steve whose twin sons have been successful NFL defensive coordinator Rob. James David ends and , McMichael flung a chair across the room, coaches, died yesterday. He was 82. Ryan was a Korean War veteran who went came from all angles and was nearly its legs impaling a chalkboard. His death was confirmed by the Buffalo to Oklahoma State, then earned a master’s impossible to budge on the ground. Not Such was the devotion players felt for Bills, who are coached by Rex Ryan. James degree from Middle Tennessee State even that teams had more success in the air, Ryan, who guided the Eagles to the play- Solano, Buddy Ryan’s agent, said he died in while coaching. He got his first major job either. “Some say the 46 is just an eight- offs in 1988, ‘89 and ‘90. But they lost all Kentucky but did not give a cause. Ryan in the pros in New York, then of the AFL, in man front,” said Ryan, who named the three playoff games, and he was fired after lived on a ranch in Shelbyville. 1968. Ryan was the linebackers coach for scheme after safety Doug Plank, who wore the 1990 season by Eagles owner Norman “Buddy was a legend in our league in so the Joe Namath-led Jets, a boastful, confi- that number. “That’s like saying Marilyn Braman despite a 43-35-1 record. many ways,” the Bills said in a statement. dent team that fit his personality. Monroe is just a girl.” Earlier that season, Ryan bragged that “His defenses were innovative and he was Those Jets led the AFL in defense in his Ryan and head coach often his Eagles would so badly beat up the a master at putting his talented and tough first season on staff, then shocked the feuded during that 15-1 season and Super Redskins in a Monday night game “they’ll players in a position to succeed. He was a Colts in the Super Bowl, 16-7. “That’s some- Bowl run. They nearly slugged it out at have to be carted off in body bags.” The real game changer, and much of his thing my dad was very proud of,” Rex said. halftime of Chicago’s only defeat, at Miami Eagles’ defense scored three touchdowns philosophies and defensive tactics are still “When (former Jets coach Weeb) Ewbank on a Monday night in December. (Ryan in a 28-14 win and knocked nine Redskins utilized effectively by teams today.” hired him, he had to make a difference. If would punch offensive coordinator Kevin out of the game, including two quarter- Ryan was a linebackers coach for the he felt he wasn’t making a difference, then Gilbride on national TV on Jan. 2, 1994 backs. A year earlier, Philadelphia routed 1968 New York Jets and coordinated the his career as a professional coach would be when both were assistant coaches in the Cowboys 27-0 on Thanksgiving Day Buddy Ryan ground-breaking 46 defense for the ‘85 short.” Instead, it was very long. Ryan’s first Houston.) His work in Chicago got Ryan with hardly any holiday feelings in the air. , one of the NFL’s greatest job as a defensive coordinator came in the Eagles job. At a meeting the night Cowboys kicker Luis Zendejas claimed letting Rex and Rob carry on the family defenses. He was a head coach for the 1976 with the Vikings under Bud Grant, before the Bears beat New in the Ryan put a $200 bounty on him, some- legacy. “Buddy’s influence will be carried from 1986-90, and for like Ewbank a Hall of Fame coach. He spent 1986 Super Bowl, Dent said a teary Ryan thing Ryan laughed off as ridiculous. on by defensive coaches for generations to the Arizona Cardinals in 1994-95, compil- two years there before moving to the rival informed his players that he was going to Arizona hired Ryan as head coach in come, but none more so than by Rex and ing a 55-55-1 overall record. Bears, where he concocted the 46 defense Philadelphia: “You guys are going to be my 1994 and the Cardinals went 12-20 in his Rob,” the Bills said. Ryan also is survived by A few years ago, Ryan attended a that overwhelmed the league with its champions. Let’s kick some tail,” Ryan said. two years there. He never coached again, another son, Jim, the Eagles said. — AP Serena Williams starts bid for 22nd Grand Slam

LONDON: Serena Williams begins her bid French Open finals to Novak Djokovic this for a seventh Wimbledon title and record- year and has since rehired Ivan Lendl as equalling 22nd Grand Slam crown yester- coach. The two worked together when the day against a player who was once so disil- British world number two won Wimbledon lusioned by that she quit. World in 2013 and the US Open the year before. number one and top seed Williams won her They celebrated their renewed partner- 21st major at the All England Club 12 ship with Murray claiming a record fifth months ago by beating Garbine Muguruza. Queen’s Club title on the eve of But the 34-year-old’s hopes of going level Wimbledon. “The last weeks have gone with Steffi Graf’s Open era record of 22 has extremely well,” Murray said. stalled since that day. “I don’t feel any added pressure working She went down to a US Open semi-final with him again. “It actually give a bit of loss to Italy’s Roberta Vinci followed by extra confidence because I know last time defeat in the Australian Open final to we worked together, it was very successful. Angelique Kerber and then to Muguruza in I trust in what he says. Broady, 22, is ranked the French Open final earlier this month. “It 234 in the world. He has won just one was a great accomplishment to win four match on the main tour in his career and Grand Slams in a row twice in my career. It’s that was at last year’s Wimbledon. Also in pretty cool,” said Williams. first round action Tuesday are fourth seed “This year I don’t feel as much tension as Stan Wawrinka, who has hired 1996 I usually do.” Her opponent on Tuesday is Wimbledon champion Richard Krajicek to Swiss qualifier Amra Sadikovic, a work with him. Wawrinka faces American Macedonian-born world number 148 who 18-year-old Taylor Fritz, the youngest play- quit tennis in 2014 to work as a coach. er in the men’s draw. Persuaded to return to the game, she has Two-time champion Petra Kvitova, the now qualified for a major for the first time. 10th seeded Czech, faces injury-plagued “I worked with kids, adults, good juniors Sorana Cirstea of Romania. Combustible at a club in Basel. It was so much fun. It’s Australian duo Nick Kyrgios and Bernard something that I really want to do later on Tomic are in action on Court Two. again,” she said. “But after a while I started Kyrgios, the 15th seed and regarded as a missing competition. When you turn on the dark horse for the title, faces 37-year-old TV and you see the players playing the Radek Stepanek, the oldest man in the Grand Slams and you’ve beaten them, that draw. Tomic, seeded 19, plays experienced hurts.” Fernando Verdasco of Spain. Former run- : Christina McHale of the US plays a return to Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia during their women’s singles match on day two of the Second up on Centre Court is Andy ner-up Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland, Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, yesterday. — AP Murray, the world number two and 2013 the third seed, faces Ukraine’s Kateryna champion who tackles compatriot Liam Kozlova. Juan Martin Del Potro, the former Broady. US Open champion meets France’s Murray has lost the Australian and Stephane Robert.— AFP Federer fan of Willis Wimbledon fairytale

LONDON: hailed Marcus Willis as admitted he was as spellbound as the rest of the match difficult. He plays well. It’s not like he one of the great Wimbledon fairytales after the All England Club. couldn’t play or he wouldn’t be where he is. British qualifier set up a dream clash with the “Yes I have followed it actually before I even “It’s going to be very interesting. Plus he is seven-time champion. Willis is ranked 772 in the saw him in my section of the draw. It’s one of the serve and volleying which I love to see. He came world and just months ago the 25-year-old, who best stories in a long time in our sport,” Federer up with some great shots. “His game is perfectly works as a coach to amateur players, was consid- said. “This is the kind of story we need. I think it’s suited to the conditions right now.” ering calling time on a professional career that great. I’m very excited to be playing him actually. Willis had will pick up £50,000 for his appeared to be going nowhere. It’s not something I get to do very often.” Wimbledon heroics after just collecting $65 at a But, persuaded to give tennis one last shot by Federer has rarely faced a player of Willis’s tournament in Tunisia in February. Federer is his new girlfriend, Willis battled through to the modest stature, but he admires the underdog’s used to having the adoration of crowds whenev- main draw at Wimbledon via a series of qualify- commitment to the lost art of serving and vol- er he plays but he believes Willis deserves to ing matches before claiming a stunning first leying. “I’m not sure I’ve played someone this take the plaudits when they meet. “If he gets the round win over world number 54 Ricardas low in the rankings,” he said. support that’s awesome. I hope he can play as Berankis on Monday. “It does happen sometimes with wild cards in good as he can and that I also can play a good As if that wasn’t enough to get Willis pinching some events but the guys who get wild cards are match and everybody enjoys themselves,” he himself, just hours later Federer defeated Guido not usually coaching. They go to true profession- added. “Of course it’s not going to be WIMBLEDON: US player Serena Williams (L) and Switzerland’s Amra Sadikovic (R) Pella to give the unknown Briton an unthinkable als. “This is definitely the first on this level. This Wimbledon every week for him but let’s not care shake hands at the net after Williams won their women’s singles first round match on meeting with the legendary Federer. Asked if he match is different. It’s picked up momentum. what’s after this. “He should just play with every- the second day of the 2016 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn had been the following the story of Willis, who “People will hear about it and naturally they thing he’s got and enjoy it. It was cool to see Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, yesterday. — AFP set up a crowd-sourcing website in a bid to fund are going to support him, rightfully so because how pumped up he was. That’s how you are his career, the 17-time Grand Slam champion it’s a very cool story. “It’s going to make the when you make your breakthrough.” — AFP Legendary US women’s basketball coach Pat Summitt dead at 64 Kyrgios loses cool, wins

TENNESSEE: Pat Summitt, the winningest in Clarksville, Tennessee, the youngest of on Wimbledon return coach in US Division I college basketball five children. Growing up on a family farm, history, died yesterday at the age of 64, the three older brothers taught her to play bas- LONDON: Nick Kyrgios was back in trouble utation when he began complaining and University of Tennessee said. Summitt, who ketball, “a game that would later become a on his return to Wimbledon as the audibly groaned “diabolical call” after being coached the University of Tennessee’s Lady passion and profession for her,” the Pat Australian rowed with umpire Mohamed told to replay one point in the first set. Vols women’s team and helped build Summitt Foundation said. Summitt Lahyani and told his entourage to get out Stepanek, the world number 129, is also women’s college basketball into a national received a bachelor’s degree in physical during a stormy 6-4, 6-3, 6-7 (9/11), 6-1 win known as a difficult personality on court sport, announced in August 2011 that she education from the University of over Czech veteran Radek Stepanek yester- and he apparently recognised a kindred had been diagnosed with early-onset Tennessee-Martin in 1974, the same year day. Kyrgios has earned a reputation as one spirit in Kyrgios, offering to help him with dementia. she started coaching. of the most volatile players on the men’s his problems this year. “Pat was the greatest coach of all time,” “People would refer to me as her boss tour after a series of distasteful antics, On this evidence, Stepanek’s advice may university Chancellor Jimmy Cheek said in a and I always remarked, Pat Summitt has no including briefly appearing to stop trying not have sunk in yet. Kyrgios was on course statement. “Her fierce spirit will live on boss,” said Joan Cronan, the University of during his Wimbledon defeat against for a routine win as he overwhelmed through her players and through all of us Tennessee director of women’s athletics. Richard Gasquet last year. The tempera- Stepanek with a barrage of winners includ- who were inspired by her on a daily basis.” Known for her steely sideline demeanor mental 21-year-old, who was hit with a ing a brilliant between-the-legs lob. Summitt died at Sherrill Hill Senior and intense glare, Summitt recorded 1,098 $2,000 fine for swearing during the same But he was broken when serving for the Living in Knoxville surrounded by her fami- career victories, the most in Division I col- last 16 clash with Gasquet, lost his cool yet match and then failed to take a match ly, son Tyler Summitt said. “Since 2011, my lege basketball history for a men’s or again on his first return to the All England point in the third set tie-break, prompting a mother has battled her toughest oppo- women’s coach, before stepping down in Club since that meltdown 12 months ago. stream of invective that ended with the nent, early onset dementia, ‘Alzheimer’s 2012. She coached the Lady Vols to eight He was warned for bad language by Australian telling his entourage to leave. Type,’ and she did so with bravely fierce national championships in her 38 seasons Lahyani following an audible rant that “I’m serious, get out, get out,” he ranted determination, just as she did with every at the school. She was named NCAA Coach included telling his support team to stop before being warned for bad language by opponent she ever faced,” he said in a of the Year seven times and the Naismith watching him after he lost the third set. Lahyani. Kyrgios continued to complain to statement. “We can all find peace in know- Coach of the Century in 2000. Despite his latest petulant display, Kyrgios Lahyani throughout the fourth set. “You’re ing she no longer carries the heavy burden Summitt and University of Connecticut insisted he provided great entertainment telling me that every single person who has of this disease.” women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma, for fans. “The crowd likes the way I play said that word in this chair has got a code Summitt was awarded the Presidential who has won 11 titles, engaged in a storied here, I entertain. I’m comfortable here and violation, in the history of tennis,” he said. Medal of Freedom, the highest U.S. civilian rivalry for decades that elevated the sport they know the tennis I bring every day,” he But, despite the histrionics, Kyrgios was honor, by President Barack Obama four to new heights. During the period from said. “I knew I had to be on my game, I playing some superb tennis and he surged years ago. 1995 to 2010, the two schools combined to couldn’t lapse at all. It was a tough match.” to victory in emphatic fashion. “Coach Summitt is an inspiration, both capture 12 championships. Kyrgios has struggled to stay out of The 15th seed, hoping to emulate his WIMBLEDON: Australia’s Nick Kyrgios returns against as the all-time winningest NCAA coach, and “Lots of people coach the game. Very trouble through his career, so there was run to the quarter-finals in 2014, could be Czech Republic’s Radek Stepanek during their men’s as someone who is willing to speak so few get to define it,” Auriemma said in an plenty of attention on the world number 18 facing another financial penalty from All singles first round match on the second day of the 2016 openly and courageously about her battle interview on ESPN yesterday. Summitt also when he strolled onto Court Two — also England Club chiefs before he plays Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn with Alzheimer’s,” the president said at the coached the 1984 US Women’s Olympic the venue for the Gasquet incidents. German wildcard Dustin Brown for a place Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on time. Summitt was born on June 14, 1952 team, which won the gold medal.—Reuters He didn’t take long to live up to his rep- in the last 32. — AFP Monday. — AFP