Eerie it is, the interview pregame of the 2001 Playoff game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Philadelphia Eagles. Tony Dungy had read reports that he would be fired if he did not advance the Bucs into the playoffs. He laughed off the speculation pregame.
He would not laugh as much afterwards; The Bucs, as you can see in the video, missed tackles, and led a poor effort against the Eagles for the second year in a row. This Bucs team, laden with Pro Bowl players, could not score a touchdown in its last three playoff games. That is too much for any coach to endure.
Dungy went away thankful, and we all know he ended up getting that Super Bowl trophy with one of the best teams ever, the Indianapolis Colts led by Peyton Manning. But it was his time here in Tampa Bay that defined Tony Dungy; his first gig.
Dungy preached doing all the small things, attention to details, yet his teams seemed to do less and less of those each year. For 4 straight seasons, the Bucs started 3-4. You cannot guarantee a home playoff game when you do that. The following year led by coach Jon Gruden, the Bucs never lost more than one game at a time, and finished 12-4; getting a home playoff game and a bye week before having to go to Philadelphia.
Here is the last game coached by Tony Dungy as HC of the Buccaneers.
To watch the video in your browser, click here…
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