Fact or Fiction : Tony Dungy

[Deattribution]

Just to get a little football discussion going...

In his 5th year this upcoming year, If the Colts do not atleast make the Superbowl should Dungy be let go?


YEAR TEAM G W L T PCT POSTW POSTL
2005 Indianapolis Colts 16 14 2 0 .875 0 1
2004 Indianapolis Colts 16 12 4 0 .750 1 1
2003 Indianapolis Colts 16 12 4 0 .750 2 1
2002 Indianapolis Colts 16 10 6 0 .625 0 1


Poll coming..

[Deattribution]

And I am going with fact just because thus far you have two guys Peyton Manning, and Tony Dungy who both have been unable to preform in the playoffs - and obviously you can't rid yourself of Manning so that only leaves one other choice. It isn't to make him a scape-goat, but to try get a harder nosed coach who can get them all the way.

[ice4277]

Well, considering this season will have almost everything to do with a decision like this, its pretty tough to say. At this point, I would say he'll stay.

[Joe]

faction

[tanglewood]

Tough. I think that Dungy has improved the team every year he's been there. They were already a good team but I think he's just nudged them up a level. All they need is a bit of luck in the postseason and they could win it all, but realistically unless that's this year Dungy will probably be asked to move on. Sport demands instant success and so even if you are doing a good job the owners will try and get someone who can do a great job. I think he should stay, unless they don't make the playoffs or something, but he probably won't.

[Passacaglia]

I can't say I've ever met Tony Dungy, so I can't say for sure that he's fact, and not fiction. I saw one program on ESPN where they simulated games of champions facing off against other champions, and cut film up to make it look like the teams were actually playing. They showed Dungy quite a bit playing for one of the 70's Steelers team, against I think the '84 Niners? Anyway, that game never really happened, so that's fiction. But it sounds like everything else about him is fact. Tough call.

[Dutch]

The only reason you should fire Tony Dungy is if you think the Colts are really that great and he's holding them back. They aren't that great. On the other hand, Tony Dungy has done a great job of molding his coaching abilities to conform to the teams strengths.

Even though the Bucs won a Super Bowl with Jon Gruden the year Dungy left, I think Dungy has learned a lot about himself and the NFL since his release.

If he lacks anything now, it is that playoff mentality. That's what I think a lot of people suspect/believe. I tend to think that the playoffs is when you should kick it into gear, not tone it down to avoid failure. Some of his ultra-conservative play calls looked less smart and more scared. That has to stop. Go all out in the playoffs or be prepared to sit at home to watch.

[mckerney]

Fiction.

Dungy should be let go only once Mason is on his way out at Minnesota.

[jeff061]

Dungy has done a hell of a job with that team. If someone is holding them back, it isn't Dungy.

[Axxon]

The only reason you should fire Tony Dungy is if you think the Colts are really that great and he's holding them back. They aren't that great. On the other hand, Tony Dungy has done a great job of molding his coaching abilities to conform to the teams strengths.

Even though the Bucs won a Super Bowl with Jon Gruden the year Dungy left, I think Dungy has learned a lot about himself and the NFL since his release.

If he lacks anything now, it is that playoff mentality. That's what I think a lot of people suspect/believe. I tend to think that the playoffs is when you should kick it into gear, not tone it down to avoid failure. Some of his ultra-conservative play calls looked less smart and more scared. That has to stop. Go all out in the playoffs or be prepared to sit at home to watch.

As a fellow Bucs fan I concur with this evaluation. I don't see Tony making the same types of mistakes that cost him playoff games in Tampa. I am glad he moved on and Gruden took us to the next level but I will always want to see Tony succeed and I think he deserves more than one year to try and get to that level in Indy.

[st.cronin]

I thought the rumor was that Dungy was planning to retire after this year?

[Daimyo]

I will probably stop being a Colt's fan if they fire Dungy after this season assuming they make the playoffs. As far as I'm concerned they should keep him until he's ready to leave.

[Axxon]

I will probably stop being a Colt's fan if they fire Dungy after this season assuming they make the playoffs. As far as I'm concerned they should keep him until he's ready to leave.

It'd be nice but only the Steelers work like that anymore it seems. :(

[Ryche]

Fiction.

Dungy should be let go only once Mason is on his way out at Minnesota.

Or if Childress doesn't work out for the Vikings.

[Greyroofoo]

Who is there to replace him with? There's very few coaches better than Dungy, so I'd say keep him. You know with him you're getting an excellent team.

[Deattribution]

He's a good coach, no doubt and he's done major strides with the defense - but how long do you give a guy who has never made it over the hump?

Cowher would be an example of a coach getting an extended period, but he did take the Steelers to the big game prior to winning it all, and he also took alot of average teams to the AFC title game. Not to mention, he's never really been accused of lacking the fire to be a coach, and he's been coaching in Pittsburg which doesn't cut ties quickly.

Dungy is obviously a great personell guy, he's molded tons of great defensive players - but he's never once looked like he's on the cusp of winning it all. Infact, generally his teams are the ones you know will blow it for sure.

[clintl]

No, you absolutely don't fire a coach with a .750 regular season winning percentage for you just because he hasn't made it to the Super Bowl yet. That's nuts. Who is likely to be available who would be any better?

[Bad-example]

No, you absolutely don't fire a coach with a .750 regular season winning percentage for you just because he hasn't made it to the Super Bowl yet. That's nuts. Who is likely to be available who would be any better?

I agree. But this sort of thing does happen. Didn't George Seifert have the highest winning % of all time at the time he was fired by the 49ers?

[Axxon]

He's a good coach, no doubt and he's done major strides with the defense - but how long do you give a guy who has never made it over the hump?

Cowher would be an example of a coach getting an extended period, but he did take the Steelers to the big game prior to winning it all, and he also took alot of average teams to the AFC title game. Not to mention, he's never really been accused of lacking the fire to be a coach, and he's been coaching in Pittsburg which doesn't cut ties quickly.

Dungy is obviously a great personell guy, he's molded tons of great defensive players - but he's never once looked like he's on the cusp of winning it all. Infact, generally his teams are the ones you know will blow it for sure.

His problem with the buccaneers is that he was a defensive coach with a great defense but no offense and wouldn't hire anyone with any offensive mindset. We got, well, Mike Shula.

Now he has a team that inherited a great offense and he's building the defense which he can do. It's a different situation which is why I feel he should get more of a chance.