Saints Will Hire Ditka As Coach

Mike Ditka, who guided the Chicago Bears to a Super Bowl championship 11 years ago, will become coach of the New Orleans Saints, ESPN and NBC reported Saturday.

Saints spokesman Rusty Kasmiersky said he spoke with owner Tom Benson on Saturday but “had nothing to add.” General Manager Bill Kuharich and interim coach Rick Venturi were unavailable for comment.

“When Tom is ready to say something, he’ll let you know,” Kasmiersky said.

Ditka, who led the Bears to a Super Bowl victory in the 1985 season and was coach of the year twice, agreed to terms Saturday, ESPN reported. NBC, for whom Ditka has worked the last four years as analyst, confirmed that he had taken the Saints job. Ditka, 57, couldn’t be reached for comment.

Jim Mora, the Saints coach since 1986 and the only coach in the 30-year history of the franchise to produce winning seasons and playoff berths, quit after the team fell to 2-6 last season. He cited personal reasons.

With Venturi as coach, the Saints lost seven of their last eight games while playing the league’s easiest schedule and finished at 3-13. It was their second-worst record since the NFL went to a 16-game schedule in 1978. New Orleans was 1-15 in 1980.

Ditka was an assistant coach for Dallas before becoming the Bears head coach in 1982. He led Chicago to a 112-68 record, six NFC Central titles, three NFC championship games and the Bears’ only Super Bowl victory, a 46-10 rout of New England 11 years ago.

Ditka, who was coach of the year in 1985 and ‘88, was fired by the Bears in 1993 and became an analyst for NBC.

Ditka has had some health problems, including heart trouble and three hip surgeries. His right hip was replaced in 1984 and his left hip was replaced in 1992.

Kelly working on settlement

Quarterback Jim Kelly is looking to finalize a $1 million retirement settlement with the Buffalo Bills, sources told The Associated Press.

It was unclear what would happen if the Bills declined to reach an agreement with Kelly.

Kelly and Bills owner Ralph Wilson were working on a deal that would satisfy an agreement during training camp that called for a new contract.

Pro Bowl additions

Quarterbacks Mark Brunell of Jacksonville and Gus Frerotte of Washington will go to the Pro Bowl as replacements for John Elway and Troy Aikman.