a real coach

Man, three NFL posts in a row. Either I'm on a roll or I need to get out more and come up with some new ideas. But the game last night got me thinking, and this one also ties in with that bit on evangelism back there. For all I can tell, anyway. I don't know the guy too well but he sure gives the appearance of someone who "gets it." And that's always worth writing about.

For those cavedwellers who haven't heard of Tony Dungy, he's the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts. I don't think there's anyone in the NFL I respect more than him. While most coaches spend the game yelling at players, arguing with referees, or fretting over each and every play, Dungy just stands over there with the same straight face, seemingly unmoved by what's happening on the field. It's almost like he's not even paying attention. And yet his Colts are the best team in the league and the only one still without a loss. Clearly he's doing something right and has been for years. He may not be the most exciting coach in the league but he's one of the best.

He's a real coach, too, not just a guy that can produce wins. Look at the (lack of) discipline problems the Colts have had over the years. Certainly not all of that can be attributed to Dungy, not with vets like Manning and Harrison around, but I bet a lot of it can. It's been said that a team takes on the personality of its coach and Dungy's personality speaks volumes about how players--and anyone else--should conduct themselves. A guy like that would be easy to follow and trust. Perhaps that's one reason the Colts are a perennial playoff team and why they have a solid reputation on and off the field. Even players you might expect trouble from seem to more or less behave themselves.*

My point here is he's one of those guys that just looks and acts Christian so it should be no surprise that he is. He is the type that you suspect is a follower of Christ long before you know. He's very humble and soft-spoken, to the extent that he's all but unnoticed in a league full of egos and attitude problems. He's not one to run to the mike and preach every chance he gets either. He'll give his opinion when asked, such as when he rightfully chastised the league for its association with the shameless Desperate Housewives ad last year, but I've never known him to get on his soapbox and offer it to anyone who's listening. He's loyal to those around him. He goes about his business and takes whatever praise and criticism people throw at him in stride. And the list goes on. One can't help but wonder sometimes at how great he is despite the fact that his personality runs contrary to so many of the core values of modern professional sports.

Just by his presence, Tony Dungy speaks volumes about leadership and character. He's proof that actions speak much louder than words. The rest of us could learn a lot more from him than how to win football games.

More here, here, and here.



*Case in point: Edgerrin James. The guy's a flake and even he fits into the mold and doesn't hurt his team like so many other basketcases. That says a lot.