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Tony Dungy to Remain Head Coach of Colts, Assistant Jim Caldwell Ready and Waiting

by David Kindervater on January 21st, 2008

Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL

After being eliminated in the Divisional playoff round and failing to repeat as Super Bowl champions, it was unknown whether Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy would return as the team’s leader. It was rumored that me might want to hang up his whistle and return to his home in Tampa. But any doubts were put to rest today as Coach Dungy announced that he would return for at least one more season. During a press conference announcing the news today, Coach Dungy said:

“I love this franchise, I love my family. I wouldn’t have come back if I was going to shortchange either one, or my children were not for it. It was really a family decision. I enjoy my job, the players, the staff we have here and Bill (Polian) and Jim (Caldwell). But it is a platform and that’s something I talked to my wife and pastor about. I said ‘I could stop and start a ministry, but I might not have a platform like this.’ So I see it as a little more than a job.”

Assistant head coach and QB coach Jim Caldwell was given a raise and promoted to “head coach in waiting.” Well, not exactly. Officially, he will be called associate head coach. He’ll wait for Coach Dungy to step down before he assumes leadership of the team. Either way, this team is good hands. The Colts are set for a long time to come.

First of all, I’m thrilled that Coach Dungy is returning to the Colts. The NFL needs him. He’s one of the classiest and smartest coaches in the league and he’s respected by everyone. Coach Caldwell will be a great replacement, whether that’s in one year or two years down the road. As Peyton Manning’s mentor for the past six years and Coach Dungy’s assistant for the past three, Coach Caldwell knows this team and will allow for an easy transition to “new” leadership. He had become a trendy candidate over the past year, interviewing for jobs with the Atlanta Falcons and Baltimore Ravens earlier this month and the Arizona Cardinals last January. Now the Colts have him officially on-board for the long-term and they have their future secure with two great leaders.

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