Colts' Dungy calls it quits

IU students were full of praise for Tony Dungy after hearing the seven-year Colts coach was retiring from football.

“Just following the NFL for a long time, he’s one of the class-act guys,” IU junior Ben Heisler said. “When you think of him, you think of a person who is a very religious man, a person who really contributes to a lot of people – both his players and the community. He’ll be missed in the league.”

IU first-year graduate student David Hughes was also impressed by Dungy, calling him the best Colts coach ever.

“I don’t think we’ve ever had as good of a coach as Tony Dungy,” Hughes said. “He was a major step up from anyone in the past. It’s just nice to see him, as a Colts fan, have that calm demeanor, but still win a lot of games. Tony Dungy meant a lot, and he did a lot for the community.”

Dungy also meant a lot to the black community.

In a historic NFL moment, he and Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith, who is also black, shared the ultimate football stage when they faced off in Super Bowl XLI. IU junior Curtis Gilbert vividly recalled the meeting. Never before had a black man coached in the Super Bowl.

“It was a great game and a great moment,” Gilbert said. “To see the first black coach to win a

Super Bowl was a great day in history. In relation to that, Dungy has done everything there is to possibly do. I’d say go out while you still have your stats up and everything. You don’t want to be like these old players and coaches who think they still have it in them.”

IU junior Faith Sherrill said Dungy’s heritage made the Colts’ win more personal.
“It meant a lot because people take black coaches for granted,” she said. “To see that they actually won under him made it that much better.”

Some fans questioned whether Dungy’s heart was still in his job.

“I thought he was gone last year,” first-year graduate student Michael Hughes said. “I didn’t even think he’d be here this season. Considering the disappointing season, I think it was about time for him to go if he needed to.”

Hughes said Dungy would have left a more successful legacy had he retired following the 2006 season.

“Judging by the losses in the playoffs, maybe he should have retired earlier.”

In two postseason trips since his Super Bowl win in 2007, Dungy’s teams have  not won a game.

“He came back to win another Super Bowl, not to lose in the playoffs,” Hughes said.

Although Dungy is leaving, Heisler said Indianapolis is a veteran team with many constant pieces that will keep the team relevant.

“They’re fine because Jim Caldwell is going to take over,” Heisler said. “He’s got a lot of experience. He’s a 20-year veteran, and the Colts are a pretty well-run organization. I think the transition is going to be fine. The players love Caldwell, and Dungy’s going to leave them in good hands.”