Dave Wannstedt
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| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | W | L | T | PCT | W | L |
| 1993 | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 0 | 0 |
| 1994 | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 1 | 1 |
| 1995 | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 0 | 0 |
| 1996 | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 0 | 0 |
| 1997 | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 0 | 0 |
| 1998 | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 0 | 0 |
| Totals | 42 | 54 | 0 | .438 | 1 | 1 |
| Career | 43 | 55 | 0 | .439 | ||
Born: May 21, 1952 in Pittsburgh, PA
Dave Wannstedt became the Chicago Bears 11th head coach in 1992. In 1992, Wannstedt was a “hot” NFL Assistant (Defense Coordinator or the World Champion Dallas Cowboys) for teams looking to hire a new head coach. He was being hired by Michael McCaskey to replace enormously popular, successful, and Chicago Icon Mike Ditka.
Wannstedt had created highly ranked defenses despite the absence of Pro-Bowl or heavily veteran units. Wannstedt’s stint as defensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys (1989-92) under Jimmy Johnson marked his first coaching position in the NFL. In Dallas, he took over a defense that had ranked 20th in the league the year prior to his arrival. By 1990, his defense led the league against the pass and was 18th against the run, and he was named The National’s NFL Assistant Coach of the Year. In 1991, the Cowboys improved to ninth against the run as they made the playoffs for the first time since 1985. Wannstedt’s success made him a finalist for the Pittsburgh Steelers head coaching position following the 1991 season, prompting Johnson to give him the additional position of Assistant Head Coach in January, 1992. In 1992, Wannstedt’s defense was the youngest in the NFL yet ranked first in the league, allowing an average of just 245.8 yards per game, including just 77.8 yards rushing. The exclamation point to his tenure in Dallas came in Super Bowl XXVII when his defense forced nine turnovers as the Cowboys routed the Buffalo Bills, 52-17.
In 1994, Wannstedt led the Bears back to the playoffs after a three-year hiatus. The team’s 9-7 regular season mark earned them a wild card berth which led to a first round upset of NFC Central champion Minnesota at the Metrodome, the first road playoff win by Chicago since 1984. Wannstedt was named NFC Coach of the Year by Football News, UPI and Kansas City’s 101 Club and was among the top three finishers for the NFL Coach of the Year by AP, Pro Football Writers, The Sporting News, Pro Football Weekly and Football Digest.
Under Wannstedt the Chicago Bears only posted back-to-back winning seasons in 1994 and 1995. The personnel situation and front-office turmoil (three personnel directors in six years) resulted in major roster changes, poor draft picks, depleted depth, and overall roster mismanagement that affected any foundation the club was trying to establish. All this resulted in Wannstedt’s dismissal.
Coaching Career
• 1993-1998—Chicago Bears Head Coach
• 1989-1992—Dallas Cowboys Defensive Coordinator (Superbowl Champs 1992)
• 1986-1988—University of Miami Defensive Coordinator (1987 National Champions)
• 1982-1985—USC Defensive Line Coach
• 1981-1982—Oklahoma State University Defensive Coordinator
• 1979-80—Oklahoma State University Defensive Line Coach
• 1975-1978—University of Pittsburgh graduate assistant under Johnny Majors.
Playing Career
• 1974—Green Bay Packers drafted Wannstedt in the 15th round. He injured his neck and was on the Injured Reserve the entire season.
• 1970-1973—University of Pittsburgh-Offensive Tackle where he was a captain as a senior and blocked for Heisman Trophy winner Tony Dorsett.
