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With Decision Imminent, Colts Hope Dungy Stays

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By JOEY JOHNSTON, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 21, 2008

INDIANAPOLIS - Heading into D-Day - as in Dungy's Decision - fans of the Indianapolis Colts have mounted a united front.

They want Tony Dungy to remain as their coach.

But if Dungy announces his retirement today and returns permanently to Tampa with his family, as many people suspect, there apparently will be no hard feelings.

"Tony has put us on the map," said Susan Walton, a fan who has rooted for the Colts since they moved to Indianapolis in 1984, on Sunday. "The man gave us a Super Bowl championship. He gave us his heart. How can anybody be mad?

"Sad? Yes, there would be sadness."

Will he stay or will he go?

Dungy is expected to answer the question after meeting this morning with Colts owner Jim Irsay.

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.

Sunday night, Irsay told The Indianapolis Star he was "hopeful" that Dungy would remain as coach, but a final decision had not been made.

Dungy, 52, has been deliberating about his future ever since the defending world champion Colts lost at home to the San Diego Chargers on Jan. 13 in the AFC divisional playoffs.

Irsay already has named Jim Caldwell, the assistant head coach/quarterbacks coach, as Dungy's successor, whether that is today or after the 2008 season.

"Bottom line, I think Tony is gone," said Bryan Gutierrez, manager of Sidelines Sports Pub, a popular spot for Colts fans. "To me, it seems like his mind is already made up.

"Nobody around here talks bad about Tony - ever. The mood now is more somber than outright anger. No one I've talked to - and I talk to a lot of people here - believes he's coming back. We're just waiting for the formality of it, I guess."

Travis Clark, an Indianapolis resident, said he's still holding out hope.

"I pray to God he stays," Clark said. "Our team would be better off with Tony Dungy than without him. I hope we do a little groveling, give him some more perks or benefits - whatever it takes to make him stay."

One possible perk is the opening of Lucas Oil Stadium, the Colts' new home beginning next season. Another factor is Dungy's loyalty to the team, which has him under contract through 2009.

"People who have read Tony's book 'Quiet Strength' say it's obvious that he has set himself up to leave," Colts fan Victor Joyner said. "I don't doubt it. I think he's one of the greatest men on the planet. He has a Super Bowl trophy now. All that's left is for him to follow his heart."

When Dungy's son, Eric, recently moved back to Tampa and enrolled at Plant High School, it fueled speculation that the coach was playing out the string at Indianapolis. Although Irsay has offered use of the team's private jet - allowing Dungy to remain as coach and still watch his son play high school football in Tampa - some are skeptical of that approach.

"You're all in or you're all out," Indianapolis Star columnist Bob Kravitz wrote in Sunday's editions. "If Dungy returns, his heart and mind will be conflicted.

"I don't feel comfortable with the idea of him coming back for one last roundup, one giant farewell tour. And I can't imagine Dungy would be all that comfortable with that kind of scenario. He would be the story. Since when does Dungy want to be the story?"

So what is the story?

We'll find out today.

Reporter Joey Johnston can be reached at (813) 259-7353 or jjohnston@tampatrib.com.

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