By Julie Cudney
Every year, Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy takes a week or so off to evaluate his position with the Colts and whether he will return. He talks it over with his wife and children and comes back to Indianapolis with his decision after the discussion is over. Although some speculated that he would retire after the Super Bowl win after the 2006 season and others anticipated his retirement after the 2007 season, Dungy returned, much to the delight of the administration, players and fans. This year, the news wasn't as elating as Dungy announced he would be retiring from football on January 12, 2009. The announcement came after Dungy talked with players and administration about his decision. The Colts have already announced that he will be replaced by associate head coach Jim Caldwell.
Dungy was player along with a coach. He played for the University of Minnesota before entering the NFL as a free agent in 1977 with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He stayed for two seasons with the Steelers before playing for the San Francisco 49ers for one year. He was traded to the New York Giants, but never played. He started coaching at his alma mater in 1980 as the defensive backs coach. He was with the University of Minnesota for only one season before another familiar team came calling: the Steelers. He entered the NFL as Pittsburgh's defensive assistant coach. By the next season, he had already moved up to the position of defensive backs coach. In 1984, he became the Steelers defensive coordinator, a position he kept until 1988.
He was the Kansas City Chiefs' defensive backs coach from 1989 to 1991. The Minnesota Vikings made him their defensive coordinator in 1992, a position he stayed in until 1995. Dungy the head coach first happened in 1996 when he was given the helm of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was the most successful had coach in the Bucs history, ending with a regular season record of 54-42 with four playoff appearances. The feat is even more impressive considering the Bucs had a combined record of 43-111 in the decade before Dungy arrived.
Dungy became the head coach for the Colts in 2002. In the years since then, He has become the most successful coach in franchise history with 85 wins and 27 losses in the regular season and a record of 7-6 in the playoffs. Dungy suffered tragedy in 2005 when he lost his son, James. The community rallied around him in the time of tragedy and Dungy decided to come back for the 2006 season. That year, he made history by becoming the first African American coach to win the Super Bowl. Dungy has described his priorities in the order of faith, family and football. His is one of the most respected coaches in the league for both his coaching skills and his contributions outside of football. He was worked with organizations like Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Athletes in Action, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys & Girls Club, Prison Crusade Ministry and more. Be there for the start of the next era of Colts football with Indianapolis Colts tickets from http://www.stubhub.com/indianapolis-colts-tickets.
This article was written by Julie Cudney and is sponsored by StubHub. StubHub sells tickets to sporting events, concerts and theater productions. Go to StubHub.com for Indianapolis Colts tickets.
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