More Reaction on Tony Dungy's Retirement

by BigBlueShoe on Jan 13, 2009 12:45 AM EST in Colts News Comment 6 comments

More reaction from the league and media on Tony Dungy's retirement:

Monte Kiffin, Dungy's longtime friend and one-time defensive coordinator in Tampa Bay, talks about Tony's retirement. Kiffin credits Dungy with his own NFL success. Dungy and Kiffin authored the now famous Tampa-2 defensive scheme.
Longtime Dungy nemesis Bill Belichick had this to say regarding Tony and his legacy:
"People often say that teams reflect their head coach and that can be said of Tony Dungy’s teams, which are consistent winners every single year," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. "Tony has been such a fixture in this league that his absence will take some getting used to. He may be leaving the sideline, but Tony will be remembered fondly for a long time."
Tiki Barber talks Tony.
Bob Gretz gives some personal insight into Tony Dungy, who he first met in 1976 (Tip to Blueisgood). The story offers some very interesting insight into Dungy's career. Did you know Bill Parcells tried to hire him as an assistant with the NY Giants in 1988? Dungy eventually took a job coaching the DBs in Kansas City. Here's an interesting quote from the article:
But [Dungy] told me that his three seasons working with the Chiefs DBs was the most fun he had in coaching. A couple years ago Dungy said of that time at Arrowhead: "They were such a talented group and they worked so hard at preparation. They approached the game the way I did as a player, but they had a lot more talent. It was just a joy. They were such an interesting group of guys."
NFL Network does a fantastic segment on Dungy's coaching tree. They have Solomon Wilcots sitting at a table with Dungy, Herm Edwards, Mike Tomlin, Lovie Smith, and Rod Marinelli. It is an excellent piece, and offers insight into that Tampa Bay staff from 1996-2001. See Part 2, Part 3,and Part 4 as well.
Yahoo's Dan Wetzel chimes in on Dungy's depth of personality.
CNNSI on Dungy's lasting legacy.
NFL.com's Adam Shefter reported that Bob Sanders broke down in tears when Dungy told him he was retiring. Bob then grabbed Dungy and hugged him. No word yet if Dungy was physically injured.
Fox Sports talks how the NFL's loss is society's gain.
Chiefs coach Herm Edwards talks about his friend retiring.
Cincy Jungle's Kirkendall respects Dungy, but is glad he is retiring because Dungy owned the Bengals.
No link, but NFL Network showed Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis call Dungy the best coach of his generation. Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher called Dungy the most respected man in football.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on Dungy:
"Tony Dungy taught us all how to handle triumph and tragedy with dignity and grace," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said. "Although we will miss him, Tony is a great man and his impact will be part of the NFL forever."
NFL.com's Senior Writer Thomas George chimes in.
And finally, NFL.com has a series of photos of Dungy through the years.

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I like Belichick a little more right this moment.

Also, thinking about Bob Sanders reaction, this is the guy who came to the Colts playing the position that Tony used to play, and he wore the number that Tony used to wear. I am glad to see he was touched by the news of his retirement in this way.

by coltsfanawalt on Jan 13, 2009 1:10 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I too was taken back by the hitmans reaction. tony dungy wanted those type of players playing for him and Im not sure the hitman or my other hawk guy dallas clark is a colt without dungy even though I have the utter most respect for polian and his drafting of the little guy who we know will eventually be stars but isnt tagged by the media as ones

I know it is very sad because he led the colts to great things and he was nothing but class but I dont think his heart was in it anymore because he was flying to tampa every weekend and we all knew he nearly retired last year. deep down we really knew this was his last year. why I think our reactions of the loss to the chargers was just a little different then the endings in the past. sadder. but the colts will be in good hands yet its still sad because he was such a great leader and even though they “choked as most percieve it” so did alot of the great ones. you just knew they werent going to lose that much with him as the head coach. I will miss him greatly. there was much more than his great coaching record with TD. when they won the superbowl I was so happy for him as peyton manning who was also labeled a “choker.” I will never forget crying tears of happiness when both of them were holding up that lombardi trophy!

I think it is time for him to retire and enjoy his family. he won a superbowl with the colts which is all I can ask for. everybody hates dynasties. their superbowl run was perfect.

by kinnickcolt on Jan 13, 2009 5:01 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Well

this has been a thoroughly depressing couple of weeks for Colts fans and I was finally starting to come around after the loss. Then comes yesterday, this was the first time in the last couple of years with his retirement looming that I thought to myself “he’s coming back for sure one more time”, I should’ve known.

While I never actually met him, yesterday was much tougher than I thought it might be. Seven years of Dungy, reading interviews, watching the games, press conferences the highs and the lows. I’m glad to have seen every minute and been a small part of it as a fan. We’ll miss you TD and I know you won’t need it but good luck anyways.

IN POLIAN I TRUST

by colt44 on Jan 13, 2009 8:56 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I know dungy has his eyes set on his prison ministry

which i think is really awesome, but i’m wondering about NFLPA president…i don’t know how much time that job takes up, but dungy is clearly all about the players and is incredibly honest and just….seems like a good match

by VolsnCards5 on Jan 13, 2009 11:01 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

With his record at wake Forest and all the other coaches out there does not make sense ,but I have faith in the best GM in the NFL I was hoping for more run and gun like the 2004 season let peyton air it out wish we had a more powerfull running back

by Hammerhead69 on Jan 13, 2009 11:14 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I think he left too early

First I wanna say that obviously this is 100% his decision to make, there is nothing wrong his decision, I wish him nothing but the best, and I totally respect his decision.

That said, he left too early. He’s still plenty young enough, he’s still got Manning in his prime years, it’s not unreasonable to think Dungy could have gotten another super bowl or two before Manning was finished.

So as a person, I’m happy to see him leave to do what he wants, as a fan of the NFL, I would have liked to see what he could have done if he stuck around.

Bleeding Green Nation - Philadelphia Eagles Blog

by JasonB on Jan 13, 2009 11:43 AM EST reply actions 0 recs