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| Date of birth: | March 4, 1953 |
| Place of birth: | Greensburg, Pennsylvania |
| Career information | |
|---|---|
| Position(s): | Safety |
| College: | Ohio State |
| NFL Draft: | 1975 / Round: 12 / Pick: 291 |
| Organizations | |
| As player: | |
| 1975-1982 1983 |
Chicago Bears Chicago Blitz (USFL) |
| Playing stats at DatabaseFootball.com | |
Douglas Walter Plank (born March 4, 1953 in Greensburg, Pennsylvania) is an assistant coach for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He is also a former American football safety in the NFL. He spent his entire eight year career with the Chicago Bears. Plank was the first rookie to lead Chicago Bears in tackles after being drafted out of Ohio State University where he participated in three consecutive Rose Bowls under legendary coach Woody Hayes. He attended Norwin School District in North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania.In 2001, Plank began his coaching career as a defensive coordinator in the Arena League for 3 seasons under Danny White. In 2004, Plank was hired by Arthur Blank to be head coach of his Arena Football team he owned in addition to Atlanta Falcons. Plank was named the AFL's Coach of the Year in 2005 and 2007 as he led Georgia to the playoffs each year and ArenaBowl XIX in his first year at the helm in 2005. In 2008, he served as a seasonal assistant on the Atlanta Falcons staff. He currently serves as the assistant defensive backfield coach for the New York Jets. The Jets head coach is Rex Ryan, the son of Plank's former defensive coordinator, Buddy Ryan.
Plank was a favorite of Bears defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan for his hard hitting and aggressive style. Ryan named his defense the "46 defense" after Plank's jersey number.[1] Plank was considered one of the hardest hitting safeties in the game. That effort took a physical toll, and he retired before the Bears reached their peak in 1985. Plank and Gary Fencik were dubbed "The Hit Men", a fact referenced by Fencik in 1985's The Super Bowl Shuffle.
References
- ^ Bishop, Greg (2009-09-05). "Legacy of the 46 Defense". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/06/sports/football/06plank.html. Retrieved 2009-10-03.
External links
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