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Dungy stepping down as Colts coach
While the team has scheduled a 5 p.m. press conference, Dungy is walking around the team's complex saying goodbye to players and team employees and informing them that the transition should be a smooth one for new coach Jim Caldwell.
According to one source, Dungy explained that he has talked it over with his family and they believed this was the proper time to step down, while the Colts' nucleus was still intact.
Receivers coach Clyde Christensen told The Associated Press Dungy informed the staff of his decision earlier in the day.
"I think there was an intensity in there and it was emotional," he said. "We all felt like it was going to happen one of these years.
"You know, I told my wife I'm sad, but I don't know why I'm sad," Christensen added. "To see a guy be happy and make a good decision, you should be happy. I guess I was just hoping for one more year with him."
Dungy is perhaps the most respected head coach among peers and players of this era. He won a Super Bowl two seasons ago and at that time many thought he would step down. Again last year it was predicted by some he would step down, but he decided instead to pick his successor and stay on for one more year.
Dungy's Indianapolis tenure will finish after seven seasons with a record of 92-33, and a postseason berth in all seven years with the club.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
Member Comments
And so goes one half of the reason I'm a Colts fan. Tony Dungy is a MAN to be admired. I've followed him since his days as a Steeler, being a Bengals fan and have always respected his demeanor and character. This is the type of leader the NFL needs to guide young players. Best of luck to you Mr. Dungy. (yeah, MISTER because he deserves the respect)
WhoDeyIsAStupidChant1/16/2009 23:09:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
bye bye<br />why dont you enlighten us and tell us your favorite team/coach and compare the numbers over the past 8 yrs and see how they stack up to Dungy and the Colts. We heard from your kind three yrs ago when people were saying Manning couldnt win the BIG game....well....he did and now its "he only won one". Wake UP loser.....winning one SB is something that probably 80% of the players in the NFL will never see
pete1967_11/12/2009 14:51:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
It's the end of an era. Good luck, Tony.
sarahest11/12/2009 14:51:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Team Hopper;<br /><br />I thought goofs like you who check into other people's profiles would get a kick out of that. Glad you are so predictable.
Bye_Bye_Colts1/12/2009 14:50:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Goodbye Childress, don't forget to take Tarvaris with you. Welcome home Dungy!
MNGopherPuck1/12/2009 14:47:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
A great man of character and a great coach. Never had to resort to video taping another teams signals or practice in order to win, nor would he stoop to that level. Would rate him as on the greatest coaches for the last decade at least.
mobreeze1/12/2009 14:45:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Congratulations to Tony Dungy: Class act, great leader who would not tolerate no-class players. I hope that he ends up as a GM somewhere.
jeffryd1/12/2009 14:44:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
no shanahan needed to go, should have been 2 years ago
slappy071/12/2009 14:42:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
GoLoseCOlts;<br /><br />Ummm, no I meant that for Hedge.<br /><br />You aren't even taken seriously by Colts fans.
Bye_Bye_Colts1/12/2009 14:41:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Good luck, Tony. You seem to be a really decent person.<br /><br />Of course I won't be shedding a tear... This ranks right up there with the Donkeys firing Shanahan. Now if only Belicheat would get fired...
BoltsRule4201/12/2009 14:40:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
i never liked INDY, never liked Peyton but Dungy is a classy guy, he will be missed, is Shanahan going to INDY?
slappy071/12/2009 14:37:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
No he meant that for me... For someone who states his opinion in this country, the liberal goofs decide to flame a person. Rather than just dealing with the fact that people sont have the same opinions on things, they like to name call and demean... For some reason I am now illiterate but yet my spelling and grammar are nearly flawless. Some one was calling Dungy a homophobe, I just defended the position that he may not agree with homosexuality. So now I am whatever he secided to call me. You kow us hillbillies are all just Dumb and uneducated...
1/12/2009 14:37:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Hedge;<br /><br />Thump dat Bible, fella!
Bye_Bye_Colts1/12/2009 14:35:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Tony- best of luck to you and your family. I read about you in Dan Rooneys book and I am glad you have two superbowl rings, one with the Steelers and one with the Colts. As much as Peyton got on my nerves two years ago I cheered for the Colts because of you.<br /><br /><br />Actually, Dungy should have received the Super Bowl ring the year the Bucs won. That was his team, not Gruden's. You see how far they've come under his coaching, don't you?<br /><br />Best of luck to you, Tony! Hope to see you around Tampa. Hell, maybe we can convince you to come back to the Bucs once we kick Chucky to the curb.
Kazalong1/12/2009 14:32:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
When a class act like this guy decides it is time to go, you can't help be sad....good luck in all your endeavors Tony !!!
champion241/12/2009 14:28:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
I wish him the very best. He certainly deserves it. A gentleman if there was one.
mhcastellow1/12/2009 14:28:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Tony you are a great man. You have always been a gentleman. Your departure will be a great loss to the team and the NFL. Good luck in the future to a real first class person.
Yachter1/12/2009 14:28:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Dungy was a great coach monday thru saturday. Time for a new direction. 1 Superbowl in 7 years! Time for a change. We need an X's & O's guy. Hope Caldwell can do it. With the talent on this team there is no excuse for 1 and done in the playoffs.
rosebudnrandom1/12/2009 14:27:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
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