Tony Dungy facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Tony Dungy

Dungy in 2021
No. 21, 27
Position:	Safety
Personal information
Born:	(1955-10-06) October 6, 1955 (age 69) Jackson, Michigan, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:	188 lb (85 kg)
Career information
High school:	Parkside (Jackson, Michigan)
College:	Minnesota
Undrafted:	1977
Career history
As player:
Pittsburgh Steelers (1977–1978) San Francisco 49ers (1979) New York Giants (1980)*
As coach:
Minnesota (1980) Defensive backs coach Pittsburgh Steelers (1981–1983) Defensive backs coach Pittsburgh Steelers (1984–1988) Defensive coordinator Kansas City Chiefs (1989–1991) Defensive backs coach Minnesota Vikings (1992–1995) Defensive coordinator Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1996–2001) Head coach Indianapolis Colts (2002–2008) Head coach
Career highlights and awards
As player: Super Bowl champion (XIII) 2× Second-team All-Big Ten (1975, 1976) As coach: Super Bowl champion (XLI) 2× Greasy Neale Award (1997, 2005) George Halas Award (2006) Lamar Hunt Award (2009) NFL 2000s All-Decade Team Indianapolis Colts Ring of Honor (2010) Tampa Bay Buccaneers Ring of Honor (2018)
Career NFL statistics
Interceptions: 9 Interception yards: 132 Fumble recoveries: 6
Head coaching record
Regular season:	139–69 (.668)
Postseason:	9–10 (.474)
Career:	148–79 (.652)
Player stats at PFR
Coaching stats at PFR
Pro Football Hall of Fame

Tony Dungy (born October 6, 1955) is a famous American former football player and coach. He played as a safety and later became a head coach in the National Football League (NFL). He coached for 13 seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Indianapolis Colts.

Under his leadership, his teams often made it to the playoffs. He led the Colts to win Super Bowl XLI. This made him the first African American head coach to win a Super Bowl.

Dungy started as a head coach in 1996 with the Buccaneers. This team was known for not winning much. He helped them become successful using a special defense called the Tampa 2. He led them to the playoffs four times in six seasons. He later coached the Colts for seven seasons, making the playoffs every year. He retired from coaching after the 2008 season.

Since retiring, Dungy has worked as a TV analyst for NBC's Football Night in America. He was added to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016.

Early Life and College Football

Tony Dungy was born and grew up in Jackson, Michigan. His father, Wilbur Dungy, was a science professor. His mother, Cleomae Dungy, taught Shakespeare. Tony's father was a pilot in the Army Air Forces during World War II. He was part of the famous Tuskegee Airmen.

After high school, Dungy played college football at the University of Minnesota. He was the team's quarterback and was named their most valuable player in 1975 and 1976. In 1977, he received the Big Ten Medal of Honor. This award recognizes student athletes who are excellent in both sports and academics.

Playing in the NFL

After college, Dungy signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He became a defensive back and played three seasons in the NFL. His best season was in 1978. He caught six passes from opposing quarterbacks (called interceptions). He also won a championship ring with the Steelers in Super Bowl XIII.

Dungy is the most recent NFL player to both intercept a pass and throw an interception in the same game. This happened in 1977. He was the emergency quarterback for the Steelers in a game against the Houston Oilers.

Coaching Career Highlights

Starting as an Assistant Coach

After his playing career, Dungy became a coach. He started as a defensive backfield coach for the University of Minnesota in 1980. He then joined the Steelers as a defensive backs coach in 1982. In 1984, he was promoted to defensive coordinator.

Later, he worked as a defensive backs coach for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1989 to 1991. From 1992 to 1995, he was the defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings.

Leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tony Dungy became an NFL head coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1996. At that time, the Buccaneers were known for not winning many games. Dungy brought in his own version of the Cover 2 defense. This defense became known as the "Tampa 2".

The Buccaneers improved a lot under Dungy. They made it to the playoffs four times in six seasons. Dungy left the team after the 2001 season. The Buccaneers won Super Bowl XXXVII the next year. Many people say Dungy built the strong team that went on to win that championship.

Coaching the Indianapolis Colts

On January 22, 2002, Dungy became the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts had a strong offense but a weak defense. Dungy immediately brought his "Tampa 2" defense to the team.

In his first season with the Colts, they lost in the first round of the playoffs. They also lost to the New England Patriots in the playoffs in 2003 and 2004.

The Colts had a great playoff run in 2006. Their defense played much better. On January 21, 2007, the Colts came back from being down 21–3 to beat the New England Patriots. This was the biggest comeback in conference championship game history. The Colts then defeated the Chicago Bears 29–17 in Super Bowl XLI. This made Tony Dungy the first African-American head coach to win a Super Bowl. He coached two more seasons in Indianapolis before retiring after the 2008 season.

Coaching Firsts and Strategy

Tony Dungy has achieved several "firsts" in his coaching career. He is the first NFL head coach to beat all 32 NFL teams. He was also the youngest assistant coach at age 25 and the youngest coordinator at age 28 in NFL history.

On offense, Dungy's teams often focused on running the ball and making short, accurate passes. On defense, he used his "Cover 2" style zone defense. This defense used four linemen, three linebackers, and four defensive backs. The linemen would rush the quarterback. The cornerbacks covered the short passing areas. The linebackers covered the middle of the field. The safeties covered the deep parts of the field. This specific way of playing defense became known as the "Tampa 2".

Coaching Philosophy

Dungy believes that coaches are like teachers. He thinks coaches should teach and guide their players. He showed that you don't have to yell and scream to be a successful coach.

Dungy learned from his former coach, Chuck Noll, that every player on a team is important. He believes a coach should train all 53 players on the team, not just the stars. This idea is called the "Next Man Up" theory. It means the team can still succeed even if key players get hurt.

Dungy wrote about his coaching beliefs in his book, Quiet Strength: The Principles, Practices, and Priorities of a Winning Life. Many coaches have praised this book.

Head Coaching Record

Broadcasting Career

Dungy (center) with fellow analysts Dan Patrick and Rodney Harrison in 2013.

In 2009, NBC Sports hired Tony Dungy as a broadcast analyst. He appears on Football Night in America, which is NBC's pregame show for Sunday Night Football. Dungy has also joined the broadcast booth for live NFL games, especially on Thanksgiving Day.

In 2020, Dungy also worked as a broadcaster for the Notre Dame football season.

Community Involvement

Tony Dungy has been involved in many community service groups. In August 2007, President George W. Bush asked Dungy to join the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation. This council includes leaders who work to encourage service and helping others.

In March 2009, President Barack Obama invited Dungy to join another advisory council. Dungy could not join due to his schedule. However, he agreed to be an informal adviser on issues related to fatherhood.

Personal Life

Tony Dungy is an evangelical Christian. He has always been involved in community service. He is married to Lauren Dungy. They have 11 children, including 8 adopted children.

While coaching in Tampa Bay, Dungy worked as a public speaker for groups like the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He started a mentoring program for young people called Mentors for Life. He also supported other charities like Big Brothers/Big Sisters and the Boys and Girls Club. He continues to help these groups in Indianapolis.

Tony Dungy is very well-respected. In 2007, a celebrity-rating service ranked him among the top 15 most appealing celebrities. He was on the same level as actors like Tom Hanks and Morgan Freeman. Among sports figures, he was ranked second only to Hank Aaron.

In 2008, Indiana Wesleyan University honored Dungy. He was inducted into their Society of World Changers. He also received an honorary doctorate degree from the university.

After retiring, Dungy became a mentor to former NFL player Michael Vick. He counseled Vick during his time in prison. He also helped Vick find a team to play for again.

Books by Tony Dungy

Tony Dungy has written several books. His memoir, Quiet Strength: The Principles, Practices, and Priorities of a Winning Life, was released in 2007. It became a number one best-seller on the New York Times list. Dungy said he got more satisfaction from the book's success than from winning the Super Bowl. He felt it helped many people.

He also published a shorter book called Quiet Strength: Men's Bible Study. This book encourages men to think about their life goals and values.

In 2008, Dungy released a children's picture book called You Can Do It. This book also became a New York Times best-seller. It tells the story of his younger brother Linden, who followed his dream to become a dentist. Dungy hoped the book would encourage kids to pursue their talents.

Dungy has written other books too:

• Uncommon: Finding Your Path to Significance (2009)
• The Mentor Leader (2010)
• You Can Be a Friend (with his wife Lauren, 2011)
• The Soul of a Team (2019)

Awards and Honors

NFL

• Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee (Class of 2016). He was the first black head coach of the modern era to receive this honor.

NCAA

• 2007 Amos Alonzo Stagg Coaching Award from the United States Sports Academy.

Images for kids

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  Dungy in 2021

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  Dungy (center) with fellow analysts Dan Patrick and Rodney Harrison in 2013.