Call him the gold standard. Call him the embodiment of class. Call him a Super Bowl winner. But also call him the elephant in the press-conference room.
That would be Tony Dungy. His was a non-literal, contextual presence last Monday at One Buc Place, when the Bucs orchestrated the introduction of Lovie Smith as their new head coach. Among those prominently and publicly thanked by Smith: Dungy, who gave him his first pro job back in 1996. He also gave the Glazers a glowing recommendation of Smith’s abilities.
Dungy was actually Smith’s mentor, showing him that even in the uber-macho world of pro football, there was a place for Christian nice guys who knew their stuff–and commanded respect accordingly. It was under Dungy that Smith learned what it would take to build a winner. And what it would take ultimately to win a Super Bowl. Smith would later leverage his Bucs’ experience into building a nine-year winner as head coach of the Chicago Bears.
The affable Smith seems like such a good fit because he’s, well, so much like Dungy, one of the finest NFL coaches of his time. Dungy’s winning percentage (62.4), it should be noted, is higher than 12 of the 18 coaches (who won at least 100 games) now in the NFL Hall of Fame. He’s now on a HOF path–along with former Buccaneer players Derrick Brooks and John Lynch.
And then there is this: The Bucs eventually fired Dungy.
Good luck, Lovie.