Tony Dungy

THE RIGHT STUFF:
Maturity begins to grow when you can sense your concern for others outweighing your concern for yourself.
-John MacNaughton
In all affairs it's a healthy thing to hang a question mark on things long taken for granted.
-Bertrand Russell,
English Philosopher

Big Idea: John 17:3
Birthplace: Jackson, MI
School: University of Minnesota
NFL Status: Player-3yrs. / Coach-24yrs.
Draft: Free Agent, 1977
Began Pro Career: Steelers (Player)
Super Bowl XLI Head Coach



Super Bowl XLI Head Coach, winning the right way

Football is a profession that is judged by performance and results. However, those things
come and go so quickly that, as a coach, I have to base my career on something more. Don’t get me wrong: I want the Colts to win, but if that were all we did, it would be pretty shallow. I want to win, but I want to do it with the right type of guys, role models for the children and families of Indianapolis. I want to help mold a team that the entire city can be proud of.

To do this, I’ve focused on coaching the way I’ve wanted to be coached all of my life. We
don’t go for a lot of rookie hazing or negativity. We try to be positive, a place where you can grow, where veterans help the rookies, where everyone helps each other, offense and defense.

The inspiration for my coaching model comes from Jesus, Himself. He has taught me that my job is more than just showing my guys how to block and tackle. It’s also about influence. I want to show both players and fans that being a Christian and being successful are not mutually exclusive. We tend to think head coaches have to be cutthroat, squeezing everything possible out of their players. I disagree. Players want to win. If I provide them with a good environment, show them how it’s done, and encourage them, we’re going to have a team—and a record—that we can be proud of.