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Dungy Returning To Colts

AP photo

Tony Dungy listens as team officials discuss him return as the team's coach at least through the 2008 season at a news conference in Indianapolis.

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By JOEY JOHNSTON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 21, 2008

Updated: 01/21/2008 05:19 pm

INDIANAPOLIS – Tony Dungy has decided on a long goodbye.

With many people expecting a retirement announcement, Dungy said today he will return as the Indianapolis Colts' head coach in 2008.

Even though he had the opportunity to work full-time with his prison ministry and church – and even though his son, Eric, has enrolled at Plant High School – Dungy will prolong his permanent return to Tampa for one more season with the Colts. He has received the blessing of his family and, specifically, his wife, Lauren.

''It was really a family decision and we're all on board,'' Dungy said. ''I'm happy about being back and my whole family is happy.

''I wouldn't shortchange my family. I wouldn't come back if my wife or my children were not for it.''

Colts owner Jim Irsay suggested Dungy could fulfill his entire contract, which runs through the 2009 season, even though the franchise has earmarked assistant head coach Jim Caldwell as his successor.

''This isn't a victory lap tour for Tony,'' Irsay said.

Dungy's return will coincide with the opening of Lucas Oil Stadium, new home of the Colts.

Dungy, 52, spent one week deliberating his plans, following the Colts' loss to the San Diego Chargers on Jan. 13 in the AFC Divisional Playoffs. He met this morning with Irsay, then announced his decision. Irsay has offered Dungy use of the team's private plane, so he can see his son play high school football in Tampa, while still maintaining his responsibilities in Indianapolis.

''Tony Dungy's still our coach and that's something that we're all excited about,'' Irsay said.

Dungy is 73-24 in six seasons with Indianapolis – including six playoff berths, five division titles and a Super Bowl XLI championship. During six seasons with the Bucs, he was 56-46 with four playoff appearances.

The Colts return the bulk of this past season's playoff team, something that factored into Dungy's decision to return.

''I wouldn't come back if I didn't think we had a chance to win,'' said Dungy, who also added he would not have returned if he didn't think he was the right man for the job.

Caldwell has been the quarterbacks coach the last six seasons and has had the title of assistant head coach the past three years. Now he'll get another new title, associate head coach, and the Colts have signed him to a contract that will keep him with the organization for the foreseeable future.

It's not clear how long he'll be the head coach-in-waiting, though.

''I certainly appreciate the opportunity of one day leading this team in the future,'' Caldwell said. ''And I hope it is in the distant future.''

Tribune staff writer Katherine Smith, and information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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