Ditka Will Coach New Orleans, Informed Nfl Source Confirms

Mike Ditka, the fiery coach who led the Chicago Bears to a Super Bowl title, will become the coach of the New Orleans Saints this week, a highly placed NFL source told the Associated Press on Sunday.

The news backed up similar reports aired Saturday by CNN and confirmed by NBC, which had employed Ditka as a television commentator.

Ditka, who quit his job with NBC on Saturday, was picked after general manager Bill Kuharich lobbied strongly for him, the NFL source said.

“Bill Kuharich has convinced (Saints owner) Tom Benson that Mike Ditka is the right man to coach the Saints and help bring the crowds back to the Superdome,” the source said.

Kuharich will remain with the team as president and general manager, the source said. Kuharich was not available for comment.

Ditka was to be in town Sunday for the pregame coin toss at the Super Bowl. The announcement from the Saints was expected early in the week.