Tony Dungy

Posted: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 by Travis Cody in
14

Edit: I just fixed a bonehead mistake. Apologies to all Colts and Ravens fans for the stoopid error. I haven't done that in ages.

Tony Dungy, 53, head coach of the Indianapolis Colts for the last 7 seasons, retired from coaching football yesterday.

What more can I say than thank you Sir.

Thank you for your dignity.

Thank you for your integrity.

Thank you for your ethics.

Thank you for knowing that it's only football and behaving so.

Thank you for sharing the very private pain brought by the death of your son, in such a way that the public's insatiable need to know did not overwhelm you and your family.

Thank you for being a true man.

As to football achievement, he has it. Since taking over Indianapolis in 2002, the Colts finished first or second in the AFC Central every year. Dungy won the division 5 times in his 7 seasons. He was 85-28 with the Colts, and he is the only head coach to have 6 straight 12 win seasons and 10 straight playoff appearances. He provided the stability that players like Peyton Manning required to flourish.

He won Super Bowl XLI as coach of the Colts, and he won Super Bowl XIII as a defensive back with Pittsburgh.

About his philosophy, Tony Dungy says (from Wikipedia)...

I really wanted to show people you can win all kinds of ways. I always coached the way I've wanted to be coached. I know Lovie (Smith, Chicago Bears head coach) has done the same thing. For guys to have success where it maybe goes against the grain, against the culture ... I know I probably didn't get a couple of jobs in my career because people could not see my personality or the way I was going to do it ... For your faith to be more important than your job, for your family to be more important than that job ... We all know that's the way it should be, but we're afraid to say that sometimes. Lovie's not afraid to say it and I'm not afraid to say it.


Tony Dungy is a man with clear priorities. And I respect that.

14 comments:

  1. Barb says:
    13 January, 2009 02:52

    I love Tony Dungy! I remember when he first came to Tampa. I forget how many crappy season's we'd already "endured". Tony was a serious breath of fresh air... at last! He's been great for football. I personally love what he stands for, and how tall he stands for it!

    Congratulations, Coach Dungy. You did it, and you did it your way!

  1. Joely Sue Burkhart says:
    13 January, 2009 05:40

    I adore this man so very much. I bought his book for my husband this year for Christmas. I hope after a break from football that he might come back.

  1. Charles Gramlich says:
    13 January, 2009 06:13

    I'm sorry to hear that. He really was one of my favorite coaches, and I was so glad to see him win a superbowl. A real class act. But I don't blame him. Man that job must be stressful.

  1. katherine. says:
    13 January, 2009 07:04

    Mr Dungy is a class act with talent and heart.

    we need a few dozen more like him.

    great post Travis.

    I haven't read his book yet...I think I would enjoy it.

  1. Marsha says:
    13 January, 2009 10:57

    A class act all the way.

  1. Ivanhoe says:
    13 January, 2009 10:57

    He will be missed. But I respect his decision - it's family time :o)

  1. Julie says:
    13 January, 2009 11:21

    I read about this also.....yup! I'm trying to learn about sports..just a little bit though.

    *winks*

  1. Akelamalu says:
    13 January, 2009 11:24

    I've never heard of him (I don't do sport remember) but if you say he's a good guy he must be! :)

  1. Desert Songbird says:
    13 January, 2009 11:27

    I'm sad, but it wasn't unexpected.

    BTW, Trav, did you know that the Colts relocated (albeit rather sneakily) to Indianapolis from Baltimore in the early 1980s? Yeah, um, I thought you did. While I'm sure Baltimore is a great city, Indianapolis is rather proud of its Colts.

  1. Cherie says:
    13 January, 2009 13:15

    He's a class act. A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do. I wish him all the best.

  1. Jeff B says:
    13 January, 2009 18:34

    I think even had the Colts made it further along in the playoffs or even to the Superbowl, Dungy would have retired this year. You could just sense it in his voice when he was asked about it.

    His faith, drive and compassion will undoubtedly be used in a great way with inner city kids to help build them up.

    I think it's safe to say that even though he won't be in pro football, he'll still be known as coach somewhere.

  1. j says:
    13 January, 2009 21:38

    I was unfamiliar with him. Your tribute makes him sound like an admirable person.

  1. Travis Cody says:
    14 January, 2009 19:17

    Tony: He's the kind of person I try to be.

    Joely: I haven't picked up his book, but I may.

    Charles: He understands priorities.

    Katherine: We need thousands of them to be in charge of youth programs in all sports so they can teach kids that you can compete and play to win without losing your respect for yourself and your opponent and the game.

    Marsha: Yup yup.

    Ivanhoe: I read that he wanted to spend time on college visits with his son. If you're going to retire, then I can't think of a better way to spend the time.

    Julie: This is a person you could easily enjoy learning about outside of sports too.

    Akelamalu: He is a good guy.

    Songbird: I can't believe I made that dumb mistake.

    Cherie: He deserves the best.

    Jeff: I think you might be right.

    Jennifer: You might enjoy his book.

  1. maryt/theteach says:
    18 January, 2009 07:18

    I always noticed him on the field, Travis! I'm so sad about the Giants... :'(

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