Book excerpt: Capturing the tough, no-holds-barred stories told by Mike Ditka's drinking buddies, combative players, loyal teammates, friends, and fans, this unique tell-all shows "Da Coach" through the eyes of the people closest to him. Raucous and amusing, this biography proves that Ditka's no-nonsense attitude and give-'em-hell demeanor on the playing field was certainly no act. Gale Sayers, Dick Butkus, and Walt Garrison remember going shoulder to shoulder on the gridiron with the monster of the midway himself. Jim McMahon, Mike Singletary, and Thomas "Hollywood" Henderson share incredible stories of Ditka's intense sideline strategizing, skirmishes, and scuffles. Tom Landry, Dave McGinnis, and Bob Costas recount Ditka's early years as a renegade roughhouser, and his incredible success as the man in charge of the World Champion Chicago Bears. "Da Coach" celebrates the life and colorful times of a true sports original who has it all--guts, glory, and personality to spare.