"Through reports and members of the media, he heard the news. At some point in the future, they will discuss it. But a day after it was announced that Rob Ryan was hired as the Cowboys' defensive coordinator, his father, Buddy, said he was thrilled with his son's new position and employer.

"I think it's great," Buddy Ryan said Thursday at his home in Shelbyville, Ky. "He's had four or five other opportunities. And he chose the Cowboys. So, he's happy there."

Dallas has become Rob's latest coaching destination, but 20 years ago it was one of the last places where his father would have been welcomed. During Buddy's tenure as coach of the Eagles from 1986 to 1990, he won eight of 10 games against the Cowboys, was accused of placing bounties on their players and made incendiary comments that infuriated the likes of Tom Landry and Jimmy Johnson.

At the same time Buddy embraced his persona as a controversial figure, he earned a reputation for his ability to motivate players and develop innovative strategies to stymie the opponent's offense.

He has seen his other son, Rex, use that family recipe to achieve success as head coach of the New York Jets . He anticipates Rob, who has been an NFL assistant for 13 years, will do the same as defensive coordinator with the Cowboys."