FOX Sports on MSN - NFL - Dungy stepping down as Colts coach
Tony Dungy is stepping down as head coach of the Colts.
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.
Tony Dungy is stepping down as head coach of the Colts.
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.