Tony Dungy

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Lore & Background

Dungy's coaching philosophy was shaped by his time under Chuck Noll in Pittsburgh. He learned from Noll that it takes all 53 players on the team to win, so a coach should train the 53rd player on the roster as he would the third player. This became the spine of Dungy's own coaching philosophy: the Next Man Up theory of calm coaching. Dungy stressed that a team should have a thought process, a philosophy, and the conviction to stick with it, even if personnel change during games because of injuries. He also stressed that coaches are essentially teachers. His protege, Lovie Smith, observed, "We talked about how to do it, being a teacher instead of screaming and yelling, all that stuff... I think what Tony Dungy showed me is you don't have to act that way."

In Their Own Story

After being hired to reform the Buccaneers, Dungy installed his version of the Cover 2 defense with defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, adding a few new wrinkles. The result was the now-famous Tampa 2, though Dungy openly admitted it was based on concepts he had picked up from his days in Pittsburgh. The defense involved his linemen rushing the passer, the cornerbacks covering the passing flat area, the linebackers covering the middle of the field, and the safeties providing deep coverage on each half of their respective zones. While the Cover 2 defense was not a new concept, Dungy contributed to its greater use by systemizing it into an every-down defense. The personnel and techniques that Dungy used were very specific, and as a result, his style of defense earned the moniker of the "Tampa 2" around the NFL.

Reader's Guide

Tony Dungy's tenure with the Buccaneers lasted from 1996 through the 2001 season. He led the team to four playoff appearances in six seasons, missing the playoffs only twice. His 56 victories were the most in Buccaneers history until Jon Gruden surpassed him with his 57th win in 2008. Dungy was fired after the 2001 playoffs because he could not get the team to the Super Bowl, but he is now credited with developing the team's championship-caliber foundation. The following season, the Buccaneers won Super Bowl XXXVII, their first appearance in the championship game. On offense, Dungy's strategy involved a conservative, ball-control offense based primarily around running the ball and short, high-percentage passes.

Did You Know?

• Dungy was hired by Rich McKay on January 22, 1996, to reform the Buccaneers, a team then well known for its lack of success.
• Dungy's 56 victories were the most in Buccaneers history until Jon Gruden surpassed him with his 57th win in 2008.
• Dungy openly admitted the Tampa 2 was based on concepts he had picked up from his days in Pittsburgh.
• Dungy was fired after the 2001 playoffs because he could not get the team to the Super Bowl, but is credited with developing the team's championship-caliber foundation.
• Dungy's protege Lovie Smith observed that Dungy showed him 'you don't have to act that way' when it comes to screaming and yelling as a coach.