Tony Dungy is one of few humans who can walk away from something great to run to something he feels is greater, who can shift forward without looking backward.
He is sure it is over -- yet he is certain that some things even more vital are just beginning. He is sure it is time.
His coaching, his life, has been full of originality. As an African-American in his profession, he became used to being the first to do this or the first to do that and he wore those accomplishments with pride. But he learned from his chief football mentor, giant ex-Pittsburgh Steelers coach Chuck Noll, to not live in noise but to reside in quiet, diligent teaching. His parents -- Wilbur and CleoMae -- and his hometown of Jackson, Mich., molded his steely resolve. And then Dungy spent his adult life coaching and teaching football players those traits.
It was clear to anyone paying attention during his time as an NFL assistant in Pittsburgh, Kansas City and Minnesota from 1981 through 1995 that if he ever had the chance to be an NFL head coach that he would soar. But several owners thought not, that he was too quiet, too reserved to lead salty NFL players. What they missed was he provided much of what those players needed: True leadership they could trust, a cohesion built that is elusive, a brilliant football mind and manner that was more in tune with what works and what lasts.
And he waited 15 pro coaching years to gain the chance to prove it.
Once he got it, he turned the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from laughable to lauded, the Colts from angst to champions. He transformed his coaching from a run-it-play-defense-low-scoring approach to the Colts' high-wire-points-a-minute-track that proved entertaining and productive. He became the rock-solid face and voice of both franchises and did the same in both communities with his work to make a difference in peoples' lives.
At the core of Dungy's decision is his calling, his faith, his unwavering belief that he had not chosen God, but that God had chosen him to reach beyond football and be a difference-maker in building the spirit and faith of others. In moving from Indianapolis to Tampa, this is what he will do now not only locally, he hopes, but nationally, globally.
There is a need, he says. He sees youth in despair, specifically young men in distress, particularly young black men, but his reach and his goals in this pursuit are not limited to color or local. I see Dungy soon becoming a part of president-elect Barack Obama's fresh message and plan of rebuilding America inward and outward. Do not be surprised if Obama reaches for this man and finds a creative way to bring him onboard in this quest. Do not be surprised if Dungy makes a difference. When Dungy touches something, he always has.
When Dungy lost his son James just before Christmas 2005 to an apparent suicide, Dungy impressed others with his faith and strength in a wicked storm. The Super Bowl XLI championship would come in 2007, his family would move permanently from Indianapolis to Tampa, and Dungy felt the pull of being there full-time for his loved ones. For moving on to charity work and community work and being a vessel of hope for youth everywhere. He has long mixed that calling with his coaching. But, really, something had to give. It is the coaching.
After 13 seasons as a head coach, Tony Dungy walks away with a Super Bowl ring and a 139-69 regular-season record. Take a look back at his impressive career. Photos ... Maybe one day Dungy, 53, will, indeed, coach again. His love for the NFL and the lure of the game, the competition, the unique camaraderie, has a magnetic pull all of its own. But not now and not for a while, what with so much work to be done with America's youth and so many lives to be restored, saluted and saved.
Also driving his decision is his love for his Colts replacement, Jim Caldwell, who Dungy says in many ways is a replica of himself. Dungy remembers how tough it was to build the Bucs from the bottom. It was paramount to him to ensure that Caldwell has a good team, a strong team and nucleus from which to start his new challenge.
Thus, Tony Dungy makes a sprint now, a dash to the resounding inclination in his ear and in his heart to do something bigger, greater. And he does so pondering the questions that he often asks of others: What is my game plan? What is my strength? What is my success? Where is my security? What is my significance? What is my legacy?
Actually, Dungy has already found the answers to those questions.
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