Tony Dungy to Step Down
Colts’ Coach Expected to Retire
Tony Dungy, the first African-American head coach to win a Super Bowl, is expected to announce his retirement in a press conference today, January 12, 2009. Reports have surfaced in the past that Dungy has been contemplating retirement for a few years now, but this news still comes as a bit of a surprise considering the strength and ability of Dungy’s current team. If Dungy truly is calling it a career, the NFL is about to lose one of its most respected men on and off the field.
Dungy On the Field
Dungy’s resume speaks for itself. In 1996, Dungy took the head coaching position of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a perennial doormat. Dungy helped instill a variation of the Cover 2 defensive scheme which is now commonly known as the Tampa 2 scheme. This improved defensive scheme along with an improved offense helped Dungy lead the Bucs to a winning season in 1997, the franchise’s first winning season since 1982. Dungy would go on to coach the Buccaneers for six seasons, leading them to the playoffs four times. However, the team never made it to a Super Bowl prompting management to fire Dungy after the 2001 season.
In January 2002, Dungy was hired to be the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts. Dungy inherited a team with a high-powered offense and a dismal defense. Dungy instilled his defensive scheme, and left the offensive scheme alone, which helped lead to a 10-6 record in his initial season with the Colts. After his first season at 10-6, Dungy has led the Colts to regular season records of 12-4, 12-4, 14-2, 12-4, 13-3, and 12-4. Dungy has led the Colts to playoff appearances in each of his seven seasons, including one Super Bowl championship.
Dungy has reached the postseason in 11 of his 13 seasons as an NFL head coach. In 2006, he and Lovie Smith became the first two African-American head coaches to reach the Super Bowl, and in the same year Dungy became the first African-American head coach to a win a Super Bowl.
Dungy Off the Field
Dungy is a devout Christian who devotes a lot of time towards helping and improving his community. Dungy started a mentoring program in Tampa Bay called Mentors for Life, and he has been actively involved other organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club, and the Prison Crusade Ministry.
Dungy’s faith also helps sustain him as an individual. In 2005, the Dungy family experienced a great tragedy when their eldest son James committed suicide. Dungy’s faith helped him weather the storm. Despite his grief, Dungy stayed composed as he continued his work as a football coach and as a community activist. Dungy’s grace and resolve in the face of great tragedy speaks of his high character and faith. Dungy has since used his personal tragedy to help other families.
What the Future Holds
With Dungy’s likely retirement, the Colts will most likely hand the reigns over to Jim Caldwell, the Associate Head Coach of the team. Caldwell has worked with Dungy in both Tampa and Indianapolis. Caldwell is highly respected around the league and will make a fine head coach.
As for Tony Dungy, he is most likely to continue is his crusade to help those in his community. Dungy’s faith drives him to be more than just a football coach. Dungy uses his fame, success, and notoriety as a coach as a springboard for his work in the community. Dungy will undoubtedly commit himself to making the world a little bit better one day at a time.
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