Da Coach is gone. The Ditka family announced his passing this morning, shared by Jarrett Payton. He was 86.
— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) October 9, 2026
MIKE DITKA. 1939–2026. RIP.
They called him Iron Mike. Chicago called him Da Coach. Football called him the man who turned the tight end from a blocker into a weapon.… pic.twitter.com/LA9ZW6vhCu
Ditka gone RIP
https://twitter.com/FoxNews/status/2108576855708377575