Hi Tony ~ Bye Bobby?

Moments before Hoosiers took the streets to rejoice the Colts first Super Bowl victory since 1971, sports announcers were commenting on the NFL’s first black head coach to ever raise the Vincent Lombardi trophy, Tony Dungy. Yet somehow, it really wasn’t about the color of his skin but the color of his character that got everyone’s attention: true blue!

By his own admission he stated that he tried to guide the team to the summit applying Christian principles to his leadership style. It was reported that when his squad of veterans and rookies huddle together for the first time last summer, some of his first words were spoken in a normal conversant manner, saying something to the effect that this was as loud as he would raise his voice all year, so they better pay attention. There would be tone of love and respect and absolutely no profanity from his lips.

He was true to his word and last night, Coach Dungy would have his moment to send a message not only across the Hoosier state but across the land that there’s more than one way to mold a team for success. Yet somehow it seems that God planted Tony Dungy just an hour away from Bloomington Indiana.

Winning in Indiana, to this point, has been achieved just one way, the Bobby Knight way. Did last night’s victory mark the start of a new model for coaching in this state. Did all aspiring coaches from the heartland’s t-ball diamonds to the hardwood courts of Hoosier-hysteria sit up to take note? By his actions, Coach Dungy said a lot. You do not need to sacrifice the worth and dignity of young athletes to hoist a championship banner or raise a trophy. You do not need to be rude, throw chairs, intimidate kids or scream obscenities to get victories.

Hopefully this morning, a lot of coaches, athletes, parents and fans woke up all across Indiana saying, finally, “Goodbye Bobby; Hello Tony.” Only time will tell if Hoosiers are just temporarily giddy with the likes of a Coach Dungy or if we’re really ready to say goodbye to The General’s ways of getting W’s.