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DB Doug Plank (official thread)

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Plank credits his mentors for his coaching passion
By Bob LeGere | Daily Herald StaffContact writer
Published: 1/27/2009

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It doesn't take much imagination to guess what kind of coach Doug Plank will be, considering the kamikaze way he played the game and who his mentors were.

Plank, the newly hired Jets assistant defensive backs coach, played five of his eight years for the Bears under defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan and, before that, for Woody Hayes at Ohio State.

"I have to say, I've never played for a finesse coach," Plank said with a chuckle. "Woody Hayes would rock your world, and he'd rock the worlds of the other team's players. He was tough and demanding. Guys like Mike Ditka and Buddy Ryan, those were tough guys, too."

Not that Plank ever needed "tough" lessons from anyone. Leading with the crown of his helmet, the 6-foot, 200-pound safety was an intimidating deterrent to any opposing receiver venturing into the Bears' secondary from 1975-81. His own reckless style and the resulting concussions limited him to one game in his final campaign, the strike-shortened season of 1982, Ditka's first as head coach.

He was a major player in Ryan's trademark 46 defense, which took its name from Plank's jersey number. Plank was one of Ryan's favorites, and his destructive style of play exemplified the scheme that powered the Bears to the Super Bowl XX championship. The alignment featured two linebackers stationed next to each other near the line of scrimmage in addition to the four down linemen and sometimes a safety (usually Plank) and another linebacker in the box.
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Daily Herald | Plank credits his mentors for his coaching passion
 
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Second job for Plank: Falcons
By D. Orlando Ledbetter
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 07/23/08

Doug Plank, the Georgia Force's highly successful head coach, was named to the Falcons' coaching staff Tuesday.

Plank will remain as coach of the Arena Football League team in addition to working for the NFL team. Falcons owner Arthur Blank also owns the Force.

For the Falcons, Plank will serve as a coaching assistant and be assigned to special projects, according to Reggie Roberts, the Falcons' vice president of football communications.

Plank met with Falcons head coach Mike Smith to close the deal and clarify his role. He will be involved in offense and defense and with special teams.

Plank, who has a 47-25 record and guided the Force to ArenaBowl XIX in 2005, played professionally with the Chicago Bears but has not coached in the NFL.

Plank did not return a call to his cellphone.

There was some speculation about Plank joining the Falcons staff if his former Bears teammate, Mike Singletary, had been hired as coach after the 2007 season.

Plank, who played at Ohio State for the legendary Woody Hayes, started for eight seasons for the Bears, including for the Super Bowl championship team of 1985.

The Bears' famed "46 Defense" created by defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan was named for Plank's number and his rugged style of safety play.

The Falcons already have Emmitt Thomas (assistant head coach/secondary) and Alvin Reynolds (defensive backs coach) working with the secondary.

One of Plank's assignments likely will include helping develop young safeties on the roster.
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Second job for Plank: Falcons | ajc.com
 
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Best of the rest
Doug Plank

As a Buckeye

Plank played three seasons (1972 to '74) for coach Woody Hayes and went to the Rose Bowl after each. For what it's worth, he wore No. 28 for the Buckeyes.

As a pro

Plank was a 12th-round draft pick of the Bears who played 101 games in eight seasons wearing, ahem, No. 46. Plank was such a favorite of Buddy Ryan that the defensive coordinator named the revolutionary 46 defense after him; he was one of the safeties crowding the line of scrimmage.

The skinny

When his career ended, Plank got out of football and for a while owned nearly two dozen Burger King franchises. But he got bit by the coaching bug, became a two-time coach of the year in the Arena Football League and now is a defensive assistant to Rex Ryan, Buddy's son, with the New York Jets.
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OSU ON SUNDAY | The Columbus Dispatch
 
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Ex-Bear Plank riding high with Jets
January 9, 2010
By Brad Biggs

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CINCINNATI -- Doug Plank walked out of the New York Jets locker room with a wide grin on his face earlier tonight, still struck by the 24-14 victory over the Bengals in the AFC playoffs.

Plank was hired by Rex Ryan to be an assistant defensive backs coach, his first official job on an NFL staff. Of course, Buddy Ryan named the famed 46 defense after Plank when they were with the Bears.

Plank served as an assistant to Atlanta Falcons coach Mike Smith last season. The Falcons downsized their operation, and Plank was told he wouldn't be brought back. When Ryan landed with the Jets, it was a perfect fit.

The former Arena League coach could only chuckle when asked about Rex Ryan saying the Jets should be a favorite throughout the playoffs.

"I think it started way back in training camp. I think he told the team where he wanted it to go,'' Plank said. "Sometimes coaches make a mistake, they think they're just out there to practice and then play in games. But it really is about getting in the playoffs and trying to get to the championship. I think he has been crystal clear from the first day he arrived here what he wanted this team to do, and that was to go to Super Bowl and win it. We're on track. And he's created a great atmosphere for us also, he's made it fun for the whole season.''

But does he buy it? The Jets should be favored each and every week? They'll be at Indianapolis or San Diego next weekend.

"I believe him because I think anything is possible," Plank said. "Look at the things we're No. 1 in, we're No. 1 in defense, third-down efficiency, yards per play, our No. 1 rushing attack. There are enough things that we have accomplished that teams in the past have won Super Bowls with, namely the Ravens.''

Plank's goal is to move up the coaching ladder. He'd like to be a position coach, or better yet a defensive coordinator, but knows it takes time.

"(Atlanta) was a nice experience,'' he said. "This is better now being a part of the staff. Anything is possible as you go through the seasons."
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Ex-Bear Plank riding high with Jets - Chicago Breaking Sports
 
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Fired by Jets, Plank would welcome Bears' call
January 25, 2010
Staff report

Former Bears safety Doug Plank was among five assistant coaches let go Monday by the New York Jets, ESPN.com reported.

"There's some guys on our staff that their contracts won't be extended," said Jets coach Rex Ryan, who didn't mention any of the coaches by name at his Monday news conference. "They ran out, and some contracts will not be extended, and that's unfortunate because some guys did a great job. I'd really rather not get into the particulars of things right now."

On the 1985 Super Bowl-winning Bears, Plank was the inspiration for the 46 defense, which was devised by Ryan's father Buddy. Appearing Monday on "The Danny Mac Show" on WSCR-AM 670, Plank said he would relish a chance to coach for the Bears.

"One thing that I feel like I've been able to bring through my coaching career, whether it was in the Arena League or here in the National Football League, is success. You know last year I was with the Falcons. We went to the playoffs at 11-5, and I like to feel that I contributed something toward this Jets season, in terms of confidence and just playing with a swagger. So I'm just looking for an opportunity, I guess."

Plank, who coached the Jets' defensive backs, was fired. Assistant quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo, special-teams coach Kevin O'Dea and defensive quality control coach Brian Smith had expiring contracts that weren't renewed and pass-rushing consultant Chuck Smith took a job at the University of Tennessee, a Jets spokesman confirmed.

"They have my phone number," Plank said. "They know where I'm at. And if they have any interest, I'd be interested."
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Fired by Jets, Plank would welcome Bears' call - Chicago Breaking Sports

Four coaches won't return to AFC runner-up New York Jets - ESPN Chicago
 
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Former Chicago Bear Doug Plank talks to Millikin students about success
By Allison Petty, Herald & Review, Decatur, Ill.

Oct. 01--DECATUR -- Doug Plank, the former Chicago Bear for whom the "46 defense" was named, knows a lot about success.

As he told about 100 Millikin University students Thursday night, it often requires failure.

"I'm telling you right now, your ability to get through adversity is going to determine your success," said Plank, who was brought to the university by the Millikin Decatur Executive Association.

Coming from a blue-collar background in Irwin, Pa., Plank desperately wanted to attend Penn State University on a football scholarship. That didn't work out, but he wound up at Ohio State University, where he played in three consecutive Rose Bowls under head coach Woody Hayes.

"When you stay positive and you always look for the door open instead of closed, good things are going to happen to you," he said.

He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in 1975 and played safety for the team until 1982, becoming the first rookie to lead the team in tackles.
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http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/yb/150536823

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-7sMdxsKJ4"]YouTube - Doug Plank Western PA Sports Hall of Fame Speech[/ame]
 
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Former Buckeye Plank: Pryor could play defense in NFL
PUBLISHED Wednesday, Jun 8, 2011
Vinnie Iyer Sporting News

Doug Plank played in three Rose Bowls for Ohio State under Woody Hayes (1973-'75). In the NFL, he played safety for eight seasons with the Chicago Bears, where his hard-hitting style and jersey number inspired Buddy Ryan to call his brand of tough defense the "46."

Plank, a program assistant for the Buckeyes last season, thinks former Buckeyes quarterback Terrelle Pryor has the potential to play defense in the NFL -- if Pryor can take on the attitude necessary to translate his great natural talents to that side of the ball.

"You still have to make quick decisions and change directions there," Plank told Sporting News. "Playing defense is not just physical skill but more mental skill. All of a sudden you're the lion out there -- the person who is hunting."

"You have the mindset to be attacking for four quarters. That would be the biggest adjustment for him -- (finding) that mental aggressiveness."

As for physical gifts, Plank says Pryor is well equipped to make such a transition.

"He does have incredible athletic ability," Plank said. "When he takes off running, it doesn't looking like he's moving as fast as he is, but his stride is so long, he runs away from people."

It may seem like a longshot for the 6-6 Pryor to play safety in the NFL like Plank, but it may not be because of his size.

"I don't know if there's too big in the NFL anymore," Plank said.

Cont...
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Read more: http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/sto...pryor-could-play-defense-in-nfl#ixzz1Om2gWuMx
 
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