Coach Tony Dungy retires
By Barb42
@Barb42 (4214)
United States
January 13, 2009 12:29am CST
I suppose they all knew it was coming. Dungy is leaving the Indianapolis Colts after seven seasons. I am sure he will be missed by the team as well as those of us who followed the game. He always seemed to me to be a very nice man. I've always heard he was one of the best and friendliest coaches in the NFL.
Dungy lost his son to suicide back in 2005. I am sure that has always been on his mind since he was away from home so much. He has decided he wants to go home to be with his family and work more in the community.
"Dungy made a remarkable impact around the league. In an era when there were few black head coaches, Dungy helped open the door to rising stars and a growing number of minority candidates. Among those from his Tampa Bay staff who have had head coaching jobs are Herm Edwards, now with Kansas City, Chicago's Lovie Smith, Pittsburgh's Mike Tomlin and former Detroit coach Rod Marinelli.
Tony Dungy retrospective
Dungy also set league records for most consecutive playoff seasons (10) and consecutive 12-win seasons (six), and leaves with the highest average of regular-season victories of any coach in league history (10.7).
And those around the league acknowledged Dungy's legacy will be the way he won."
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3827058
I am sure that the Colts will do fine under the coach who is taking his place. But he will certainly be missed on the sideline.
2 responses
@worm69camaro (53)
• United States
3 Feb 09
My wife is a huge Colts fan and she is very sad to see Tony go. I never cared much for the colts but will admit Dungy was a good coach.
@Barb42 (4214)
• United States
3 Feb 09
I'm with your wife; I'm also a big Colts fan. I really hated to see Tony Dungy go. I think he brought something to the team that will be hard to fill. But I understand his wanting to get out of coaching. I enjoyed seeing him other night during the Super Bowl.
@etan23 (19)
• United States
13 Jan 09
Hi Barb! I am a hoosier and I had heard some speculation on that but now you have coonfirmed it. I have been overseas for some time now and dont always have the latest news on things...I was aware of the game with the chargers(i wont go there) but didnt know he was leaving. I agree with you on everything you said. He always was up most professional. Is he going some where else? Thanks for the post!
@Barb42 (4214)
• United States
13 Jan 09
It's been the talk that he's retiring for the last 4 years, I think. But this time, it's true. He has retired and is going home to Florida where they make their home. From what he said, he is completely quitting coaching. But he is only 53, but he and his wife have been discussing for the past 5 years if he should continue coaching.So I suppose they decided it was time. The latest loss of the first playoff game for the second year might have been a reason to quit, but we may never know.
