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NBC Adds Dungy To Coverage Team For Super Bowl

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By WALT BELCHER | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 23, 2009

TAMPA - NBC has signed retired coach Tony Dungy as a commentator for the network's pregame coverage of Super Bowl XLIII.

Dungy, who recently returned to Tampa after leaving the Indianapolis Colts, will join another newcomer to NBC's coverage team, Mike Holmgren, the former Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers coach.

The pregame coverage from Raymond James Stadium begins at noon Feb. 1.

"Over the past few years I've enjoyed getting to know Tony and Mike through numerous production meetings and have been impressed by the way they handled themselves, not only as coaches and communicators but also as men," said NBC Sports executive Dick Ebersol, producer of the Super Bowl broadcast.

"In addition to their obvious Super Bowl credentials, Mike and Tony share extraordinary storytelling ability," he added. "We're excited to have them make their broadcast debuts with us. I'm sure viewers will enjoy their unique perspective and insights as Super Bowl coaches."

Dungy recently announced his retirement as head coach of the Indianapolis Colts after making the playoffs in each of his last 10 seasons — seven with Indianapolis and three with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

In February 2007, Dungy became the first black head coach to win a Super Bowl. The Colts defeated the Chicago Bears 29-17 in Miami.

A former defensive back with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Dungy is one of only three men to win Super Bowls as both a player and head coach, joining Mike Ditka and Tom Flores. Dungy is also the author of the best-selling book "Quiet Strength," as well as a children's book. His third book, "Uncommon: Finding Your Path to Significance," will be released next week.

He reached the playoffs in four of his six seasons with the Bucs, including the National Football Conference Championship Game in 1999-2000. In his 13 seasons, Dungy's teams posted a losing record just once, his first season in Tampa Bay.

Holmgren has made three Super Bowl appearances as head coach, including the Packers' 35-21 victory over the New England Patriots in January 1997. His Packers also appeared in the finale the following season, and his Seahawks lost to Pittsburgh in the Super Bowl in February 2006.

Reporter Walt Belcher can be reached at (813) 259-7654.

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