PFT: Dungy Out as Head Coach of Colts

[kastofsna]

POSTED 2:06 p.m. EST, January 16, 2008

DUNGY OUT, CALDWELL IN

A league source tells us that Colts coach Tony Dungy will step down, and that assistant head coach/quarterbacks coach Jim Caldwell will take the reins.

More to come.

Link

[powerfuldragon]

well, ****.

[powerfuldragon]

link?

[powerfuldragon]

closest thing i could find was a piece by clayton from 3 days ago:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playof...ohn&id=3195151

INDIANAPOLIS -- The defending champion Indianapolis Colts lost more than a playoff game on Sunday to the San Diego Chargers. The vibe coming out of the Colts' locker room following their devastating 28-24 loss to the Chargers was that Tony Dungy might have coached his last game. As expected, fans said goodbye to the RCA Dome on Sunday -- a new stadium is rising in the dome's parking lot and opens this summer. Dungy, meanwhile, wouldn't say anything Sunday night about his coaching future. He will continue his discussions with owner Jim Irsay about returning next season, but he's probably going to say goodbye this week. "We love coach Dungy,'' safety Bob Sanders said. "We definitely want him around here. I don't know the situation. I don't know what's going to go on. We'll know and we'll see.''
"He's a great coach and a great person,'' cornerback Kelvin Hayden said. "I really don't know to give a call on it. I hope he does come back. He didn't say anything after the game. We don't know. I'm concerned about it because he's the guy who brought me in.''
Some assistant coaches were teary-eyed as they left the RCA Dome. They sensed Dungy could be stepping down. He hasn't even said anything to the coaches who have been around him the longest. They honestly don't know. Two years ago when Dungy lost his son to a suicide, everyone sensed he wanted to continue coaching. He did and the Colts won a Super Bowl last February.
Maybe the thought of losing Dungy short-circuited the Colts against the Chargers. (wah wah.) The Colts pride themselves on efficiency, but their offense made many uncharacteristic mistakes.

[kastofsna]

it's on PFT.

[Specnatz]

Originally Posted by powerfuldragon

link?

http://beta.profootballtalk.com/category/rumor-mill/

It is stricktly a rumor at the moment.

[toronto]

I'll wait for an ESPN or CNNSI to report it...then I'll believe it.

I actually think it's true, but would rather wait for the mainstream media to go on record before I comment...

[WesmanTexanfan]

Originally Posted by toronto

I'll wait for an ESPN or CNNSI to report it...then I'll believe it.

I actually think it's true, but would rather wait for the mainstream media to go on record before I comment...

ya, but for some speculation should that excite texans fans or sadden us/? i personally am siked because he is one hell of a ball coach and am glad we wont have to face him.... what yall think?

[bah007]

Originally Posted by WesmanTexanfan

ya, but for some speculation should that excite texans fans or sadden us/? i personally am siked because he is one hell of a ball coach and am glad we wont have to face him.... what yall think?

Thats true.

But I dont care how much you hate the Colts, you have to respect Tony Dungy and its sad to see him go.

[austintexanite]

Not too shocked to hear this, but he was a good coach.

[TexanSam]

Sad to see one of the best coaches in the NFL leave. He seemed like a pretty good guy too

Assuming it's true

[PapaL]

Unless he's taking Peyton, Freeney and Bob Sanders I don't care. He's a good coach, but those players make the Colts go.

No news here...carry on.

[swisher]

Originally Posted by PapaL

Unless he's taking Peyton, Freeney and Bob Sanders I don't care. He's a good coach, but those players make the Colts go.

No news here...carry on.

It could be the first loose thread that finally unravels the Colts, probably not next season but it will be sooner with Dungy gone. I won't be sad to see one of the best coaches in the league leave our division.

[dtran04]

I don't think Dungy leaving is gonna make Manning look like David Carr.

[GuerillaBlack]

I thought he'd want one year in the new stadium.

[powerfuldragon]

when/where are the keggers celebrating the eventual softening of our division planned?

[Hervoyel]

Originally Posted by dtran04

I don't think Dungy leaving is gonna make Manning look like David Carr.

No it won't. It might have an effect on their defense however and I simply can't bring myself to believe that any team that loses a coach like Tony Dungy would be no worse for doing so.

Anything that weakens the Colts in any way is a good thing.

[Goldensilence]

Originally Posted by swisher

It could be the first loose thread that finally unravels the Colts, probably not next season but it will be sooner with Dungy gone. I won't be sad to see one of the best coaches in the league leave our division.

It's not like Caldwell will be a spring chicken to that organization. Polian is still one of the better GMs and they'll still have continuity within the organization. Peyton and crew are still going to be there and what concerns me even more....they were 13-3 while still injury bitten and LOT of the younger guys got PT this year. Just strengthens their depth.

All that said it is kind of sad to see one of the classier coaches retire.

[Leahmic223]

Losing your Head Coach is a big thing, I don't think you can just assume they will continue to be as good as they were if he leaves.

Because a good Coach instills a mentality in his team, gives his team a identity.

Yes they still have good players but still the Coach is a main reason they were winning, because he had everybody playing the best they could.

You look at Bill Belichick and Tony Dungy, they both have their players playing at a consistently high level. I bet if Mario Williams played with the Pats, he'd probably get 15+ sacks a year and break records...because Belichick seems to be the guy that always harps on a guy 'No, you can play better than this.' All you hear from the Pats when they win is that they can still do better.

Just look at our change, before Kubiak our guys would completely give up down by 10 points or more. At least now we still fight (some weeks) we don't lay down easy no more and the mentality of this team has been slowly changing.

A coaching change is a pretty big change and if Dungy leaves I wouldn't be suprised if the Colts didn't win the division that year.

[PapaL]

Originally Posted by Hervoyel

No it won't. It might have an effect on their defense however and I simply can't bring myself to believe that any team that loses a coach like Tony Dungy would be no worse for doing so.

Anything that weakens the Colts in any way is a good thing.

Originally Posted by Leahmic223

Losing your Head Coach is a big thing, I don't think you can just assume they will continue to be as good as they were if he leaves.

Because a good Coach instills a mentality in his team, gives his team a identity.

Yes they still have good players but still the Coach is a main reason they were winning, because he had everybody playing the best they could.

You look at Bill Belichick and Tony Dungy, they both have their players playing at a consistently high level. I bet if Mario Williams played with the Pats, he'd probably get 15+ sacks a year and break records...because Belichick seems to be the guy that always harps on a guy 'No, you can play better than this.' All you hear from the Pats when they win is that they can still do better.

Just look at our change, before Kubiak our guys would completely give up down by 10 points or more. At least now we still fight (some weeks) we don't lay down easy no more and the mentality of this team has been slowly changing.

A coaching change is a pretty big change and if Dungy leaves I wouldn't be suprised if the Colts didn't win the division that year.

Signed,

2007 Dallas Cowboys
2007 San Diego Chargers
2007 Pittsburgh Steelers