Doug Plank
Encyclopedia
Douglas Walter Plank is a former American-football
safety and coach in the National Football League
. Currently, he is the head coach of the Philadelphia Soul
in the Arena Football League
.
in North Huntingdon
, Pennsylvania
. He attended Ohio State University
, where he earned three varsity letters as a defensive back under coach Woody Hayes
. In 1975 Plank was drafted by the Chicago Bears
in the 12th round.
. Plank was a favorite of Bears defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan for his hard hitting and aggressive style, so that he named his defense the "46 defense
" after Plank's jersey number. 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.
in the Arena Football League for 3 seasons under former Dallas QB Danny White
. In those 3 seasons, the Arizona Rattlers played in 3 consecutive Arenabowls. In 2004, Plank was hired by Arthur Blank
to be head coach of the Georgia Force
, an Arena Football team he owned in addition to the 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 Plank's first four years as an AFL head coach, he won more games in that period than any other coach in the history of the Arena League. In 2008, he was a seasonal assistant on the Atlanta Falcons staff. The Falcons played in the first round of the NFL playoffs. In 2009 he served as the assistant defensive backfield coach for the New York Jets
under head coach Rex Ryan
, the son of Plank's former defensive coordinator, Buddy Ryan
. The 2009 Jets defense led the NFL in fewest total yards allowed, fewest points allowed, and fewest TD passes allowed. The Jets played in the AFC championship game versus the Colts. In 2010, Plank became a football program assistant at Ohio State. The Buckeyes earned a share of the Big 10 title with an 11-1 record and beat Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
safety and coach in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. Currently, he is the head coach of the Philadelphia Soul
Philadelphia Soul
The Philadelphia Soul are an Arena Football League team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They began play in as an expansion team. The team plays in the Eastern Division of the American Conference. They won their first ArenaBowl in 2008, defeating the San Jose SaberCats 59–56 in ArenaBowl XXII...
in the Arena Football League
Arena Football League
The Arena Football League is the highest level of professional indoor American football in the United States. It is currently the second longest running professional football league in the United States, after the National Football League. It was founded in 1987 by Jim Foster...
.
Early life
Plank attended Norwin School DistrictNorwin School District
The Norwin School District is a large, suburban public school district. It is located in the southwest corner of Westmoreland County. Norwin School District serves North Huntingdon, Irwin, North Irwin, Jacktown, Larimer, Hahntown, Sheridan Terrace, Sunset Valley, Westmoreland City, and Shafton,...
in North Huntingdon
North Huntingdon Township, Pennsylvania
North Huntingdon Township is a township in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, USA. The population was 30,609 at the 2010 census.-History:Named after England’s Earl of Huntingdon, Huntingdon Township was founded on April 6, 1772 in Pennsylvania....
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. He attended Ohio State University
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
, where he earned three varsity letters as a defensive back under coach Woody Hayes
Woody Hayes
Wayne Woodrow "Woody" Hayes was an American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Denison University , Miami University , and Ohio State University , compiling a career college football record of 238–72–10.During his 28 seasons as the head coach of the Ohio...
. In 1975 Plank was drafted by the Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the 12th round.
NFL playing career
He spent his entire eight-year NFL playing career with the Bears. Plank was the first Bear's rookie to lead the team in tackles, after being drafted out of The Ohio State University. He participated in three consecutive Rose Bowls under legendary coach Woody HayesWoody Hayes
Wayne Woodrow "Woody" Hayes was an American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Denison University , Miami University , and Ohio State University , compiling a career college football record of 238–72–10.During his 28 seasons as the head coach of the Ohio...
. Plank was a favorite of Bears defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan for his hard hitting and aggressive style, so that he named his defense the "46 defense
46 defense
The 46 defense is an American football defensive formation. The formation comprises four down linemen, three linebackers, and four defensive backs. The 46 defense was originally developed and popularized by Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan, who later became head coach of the...
" after Plank's jersey number. 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
1985 Chicago Bears season
The 1985 Chicago Bears season was their 66th regular season and 16th post-season completed in the National Football League. The club posted a 15-1 record, earning them the top seed in the NFC for the playoffs. The Bears defeated their three post season opponents by a combined score of 91-10 en...
. Plank and Gary Fencik
Gary Fencik
John Gary Fencik is a former professional American-football free safety and currently an executive with Adams Street Partners. Fencik played twelve seasons with the Chicago Bears and is their all-time leader in interceptions and total tackles. He was the team's defensive captain through the 1980s...
were dubbed "The Hit Men", a fact referenced by Fencik in 1985's The Super Bowl Shuffle.
After football
After football, Plank became a franchisee of Burger King Corporation operating multiple restaurants in various states. In 1995 Plank began working as a football analyst and has done work for Fox Sports, Arizona Cardinals, Arizona State Sun Devils, University of Arizona Wildcats, Arizona Rattlers, Sports USA Radio and Westwood One.Coaching career
In 2001, Plank began his coaching career as a defensive coordinatorDefensive coordinator
A defensive coordinator typically refers to a coach on a gridiron football team who is in charge of the defense. Generally, along with his offensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
in the Arena Football League for 3 seasons under former Dallas QB Danny White
Danny White
Wilford Daniel "Danny" White is a former quarterback and punter for the Dallas Cowboys, an American football coach in the Arena Football League and also occasionally appears as an analyst on broadcasts of college football games. He was named the head coach of the Arena Football League expansion...
. In those 3 seasons, the Arizona Rattlers played in 3 consecutive Arenabowls. In 2004, Plank was hired by Arthur Blank
Arthur Blank
Arthur M. Blank is an American businessman and a co-founder of The Home Depot. Today he is known for his philanthropy and his ownership of the Atlanta Falcons in the National Football League.-Early life:...
to be head coach of the Georgia Force
Georgia Force
The Georgia Force are an Arena Football League team based in Gwinnett County, Georgia, United States that plays in the South Division of the American Conference. The team is owned by Doug MacGregor and Donn Jennings...
, an Arena Football team he owned in addition to the Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. 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
ArenaBowl XIX
ArenaBowl XIX was the 2005 championship game of the Arena Football League , and was played at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The first-ever neutral-site title game in AFL history drew 10,822 fans to see the Colorado Crush defeat the Georgia Force 51–48 to claim the Foster ArenaBowl...
in his first year at the helm in 2005. In Plank's first four years as an AFL head coach, he won more games in that period than any other coach in the history of the Arena League. In 2008, he was a seasonal assistant on the Atlanta Falcons staff. The Falcons played in the first round of the NFL playoffs. In 2009 he served as the assistant defensive backfield coach for the New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
under head coach Rex Ryan
Rex Ryan
Rex Ryan is an American football head coach for the New York Jets of the National Football League . After serving as an assistant coach for twenty-two years, Ryan attained his first head coaching job in the NFL with the Jets in 2009...
, the son of Plank's former defensive coordinator, Buddy Ryan
Buddy Ryan
James David "Buddy" Ryan is a former American NFL football coach.-Early years:Ryan was born and reared in a small, agricultural-based community "just outside of Frederick, Oklahoma." Ryan played college football for Oklahoma A&M University where he earned four letters as a guard between 1952 and...
. The 2009 Jets defense led the NFL in fewest total yards allowed, fewest points allowed, and fewest TD passes allowed. The Jets played in the AFC championship game versus the Colts. In 2010, Plank became a football program assistant at Ohio State. The Buckeyes earned a share of the Big 10 title with an 11-1 record and beat Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl.