Tony Dungy expected to retire as Indianapolis Colts coach

The Indianapolis Colts have called a news conference for later today on the future of Coach Tony Dungy, who is expected to announce his retirement at that time.

Although the Colts have not revealed what will be said at the news conference, the Indianapolis Star is reporting that, as many have expected since the Colts' loss to the San Diego Chargers in the wild-card game, Dungy will walk away from the sport.

After the Jan. 3 loss to San Diego, The Times' Bill Plaschke wrote of the likelihood that it would be Dungy's last game.

Dungy took the Colts to the playoffs seven consecutive years. He became the first black coach to win the Super Bowl in the 29-17 victory over the Chicago Bears in 2007.

The Times' Sam Farmer will have a report on Dungy on latimes.com/sports shortly.

-- Mike James

Photo: Tony Dungy during the playoff loss to the Chargers. Credit: Harry How / Getty Images

Comments

[Neil]

Tony Dungy is a loser

[amber]

silly neil, didnt you read the rules? if you are under 13 years of age you may not participate in this board. only an immature and ignorant 13 year old would think dungy is a loser.

[Jacob from Indianapolis]

Neil

You obviously are just one of those sore people in the So. Cal area that are mad that you don't have professional football, and that the Colts got a new stadium and didn't move to LA. Tony Dungy is one of the all time great coaches. His playoff record may be mediocre, but given the whole body of work, he is a Hall of Famer.

[Ken]

To bad for football and it's fans. Tony Dungy is a good coach and person. I don't know him personaly but all that I have read about the man and seen of him leads me to think he's on of the good ones. Too bad he is leaving. I liked the guy. Good luck Tony on your next step!

[Rachael Ackley]

For Neil to say Tony Dungy is a loser is quite an abomination.

I live outside of Indianapolis - and have seen his work benefit so many first hand. It's not all about football Neil - the contributions people make off the field speak more volumes than anything. He has raised millions of dollars for various charities - raised awareness about adoption and foster parenting - and most importantly he has a love of family, God and his faith. He relies on his faith to direct and carry him in life and in his decisions. The team has only benefitted from his strength, character and integrity. Although his record may not be all that many think it should be - that's not the record that he worries about most - and it shouldn't be the record anyone worries about the most. He knows his faith will carry him further than any Super Bowl or other football victory. His final victory is knowing he has the salvation of his faith - and he did the best he could with his gifts to help others on and off the football field.
We will miss him - but wish him well!

[April (orginally from Indianapolis)]

Tony Dungy is a football great! He will be missed terribly- by team, his fans, and the league. He is such a classy guy- maybe the classiest coach ever. He is a hall-of-fame coach for sure!

I am glad to know that Jim Caldwell will be taking over. They have the same kind of coaching style and that is super important.

It is too bad that we are losing him!

[jeff]

It's too bad he's leaving the game, and the Colts. Through all his year's coaching, you've never heard a negative word used to describe him.
It's going to be strange not seeing him on the sidelines next season.
Even though he only won only one Super Bowl, he leaves behind the kind of reputation that every coach wants applied to himself.
Personally I hope that this man lives the rest of his life in the peace and quiet that most probably want for themselves, when they choose to leave the profession in which they've excelled for so many years
He overcame the death of his young son to keep doing what he knew he was good at-coaching the Colts.
Most of the biggest names on the Colts are going to miss Dungy like crazy, most Colts fans will too.
All the best in your future endeavours and may somebody else one day soon reap the rewards and benefits of being under your guidance.
All the best Tony.

[Davey Donnegal]

Amber, you are my new hero - spot on!

I am not a New England fan. Forty plus years ago I was briefly a Colts fan, really more a Johnny Unitas fan than anything. However, I follow the game enough, and have followed both Tony Dungy's career and his community work outside of football enough to recognize his profound qualities. In fact, one of the reasons he cited for wanting to retire was so that he could do more community work. Few coaches have the skill to lead a team to a Superbowl win; fewer still walk away in their primes so they can do more to improve the lives of others - Tony Dungee is a rare kind of human being. He could have continued on and accumulated a lot more wealth and possibly more wins and more accolades; but he chose instead to dedicate the rest of his life to making the lives of others better. People like Neil can't even comprehend this because they care nothing about anything or anyone, except themselves.