Colts contenders this season? Tony Dungy thinks they could be

Tony Dungy says the Indianapolis Colts may be better than you think.

When Dungy coached the Colts, making the playoffs seemed automatic. The Colts never won fewer than 10 games during his seven seasons, and he led them to their last Super Bowl victory following the 2006 season.

Now an analyst for NBC, Dungy recently discussed the team’s prospects with the IndyStar, as he and his wife Lauren prepared for the Aug. 7 release of their latest two children’s books – “Austin Plays Fair” and “Maria Finds Courage.” 

Question: Is there any way to overstate how important Andrew Luck’s health is to the Colts, not only this season, but beyond?

Answer: It’s critical. When you draft a quarterback No. 1, and you see the type of ability he has, a legit franchise player like Andrew, you build the team around him. When he has been healthy, he has produced. They know who he is. It’s not like they hope this guy is good enough. They know he’s good enough. If he’s healthy, they’ll be a contender. There’s no question about it. He’ll have a great year. But their No. 1 priority is keeping him healthy.

Q: You really think the Colts will be a contender if Luck stays healthy? 

A: Yes, I think so. It’s that type of league. It’s not a league where three or four teams are so much better than everyone else. You look at Houston last year. When DeShaun Watson played and was healthy, they were dynamic. They looked like they could beat anyone. But when he wasn’t healthy, they struggled. One dynamic quarterback can make that much of a difference. If Andrew Luck is able to play at the level he did before he got hurt, there’s no doubt in my mind they’ll have a chance to win their division.

Q: How do you think Frank Reich will fare as the Colts’ head coach?

A: I’m really excited. He worked for me my last year with the Colts. I got to know him as a worker and a fair person. I loved his work ethic and his character. I think he’s going to be special, not only for the team but for the community. I love his offensive philosophy, I think it’s going to mesh well with Andrew (Luck).

Q: is there a difference being a head coach the first time, as opposed to having previous head coaching experience?

A: The first time being a head coach, actually being in charge, is different. You think you’re prepared, you think you know what’s in store, but you get surprises, things you haven’t thought of. But I think the big thing that will help Frank is having just won a Super Bowl with the Eagles. Players sometimes wonder, ‘Is this really going to work? Should we believe in this guy?’ But when you come in with a Super Bowl ring, that makes a big difference. Your credibility level is high. You don’t face any of those questions. That’s kind of the way it was for me when I came to the Colts. We hadn’t won a Super Bowl, but we had been a playoff team in Tampa. I think the players quickly believed in our staff because of that. When I started as a head coach in Tampa, it was different. We when through more growing pains. The players wanted to believe, but somewhere in their mind the were thinking, ‘Does this guy really know?'”

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Q: Jon Gruden, after a long absence from coaching, left the broadcast booth and returned as coach of the Oakland Raiders. Is there any scenario where you could see yourself returning to coaching?

A: No there isn’t. I had a great job when I left the Colts with a tremendous owner. We had a great team that was capable of winning a Super Bowl. But it was time for me to get into other areas of life. I’ve had some opportunities to come back, not lately, but certainly a few years ago. But I was never close to coming back at any time. The longer it goes, I just don’t see it happening.

Q: Is there anything you miss about coaching?

A: I miss the camaraderie with the players and the coaching staff. That’s something you can’t duplicate, all of you working toward a common goal. But I don’t miss the time that goes into it. I don’t miss having every day of your life accounted for from July 30 to Feb. 1. Somebody could tell me I’d have a chance to fly to  the moon during the season, but I’d have to tell them, “I can’t, we have a walkthrough at 1 o’clock.’

Q: You and your wife, Lauren, have become passionate about writing children’s books. What is it about writing children’s books that gives you such enjoyment?

A: I think it’s really become a calling. When I was coaching, the wives would read to elementary school children, and they would talk about the need to find books that had a life lesson. Books where they could go to schools and read, and they’d be fun stories that the kids could relate too, but there would be some life lessons. We started that with our first series of books, and it was fun. We got some good feedback. Now we’re on the second series of eight. It’s been gratifying.

Q: Are there any similarities between writing a book and coaching?

A: There are. You have a goal in mind, a message you want to get across. Then you have to try and craft that message so a lot of people can understand it. You work with a team, you come up with a finished product, and you kind of get judged by the final analysis, the result. So it’s similar in a lot of ways. But the biggest similarity is that you can’t do it by yourself. You have to rely on teammates to have a successful outcome.

Q: The book “Austin Plays Fair” talks about a boy who cheats to win. “Maria Finds Courage” discusses a child who is afraid to try a new sport. What messages do you hope kids get from these two books?

A: The situation with Austin deals with the decisions you have to make in life. You want to win in life, but at what price? The message with "Maria Finds Courage" is that trying new things and meeting new people is a challenge, but you’re going to benefit from it. It’s going to be fun. We hope kids will be reading, but we also hope parents will be reading these books to their kids and talk to them about it.

Q: You were the first African-American head coach to win a Super Bowl. Are you satisfied that qualified black assistant coaches are getting a fair chance to become head coaches, not only at the NFL level, but at the college level?

A: I think there’s more that can be done, but I think we have made some strides.  I live part of the time in Eugene, Ore., and people out there are upset Willie Taggert left (University of Oregon) after one year to go to Florida State. I think that shows how much progress we’ve made. There was a time when an African-American coach wouldn’t even be considered for a job like Florida State. To have Willie get the job at Florida State, and for people in Oregon to be distraught about losing an African-American coach says a lot to me. But we still have young, talented African-American coaches that don’t get enough attention. It’s up to the media, the NCAA, and others to do a better job identifying those people. And it’s not just African-American coaches who sometimes get overlooked. When my son was playing for Oregon, the offensive coordinator was Scott Frost. I told a couple of people who were looking for a head coach that Scott Frost (current Nebraska head coach) was phenomenal. I thought somebody should jump on him. But he hadn’t been a head coach yet, so he had to wait. Now, he’s a hot commodity.

Q: What are your thoughts on how the controversial NFL-national anthem flag policy will play out?

A: It’s a tough proposition. When you sit down with guys like Kenny Stills, and Michael Jenkins, and Michael Thomas, they’re really articulate about why they are protesting. But a lot of people haven’t been able to digest that. They believe it's disrespectful. I’d like to see us move forward to problem-solving.

Q: Have you enjoyed broadcasting more than you thought you would?

A: Way more than I thought I would. My wife had to talk me into trying it. I thought I’d only do it a couple of years. But it’s fun, a way to keep me involved with the game.

Q: Do you have a final message for Colts fans?

A: My heart is always going to be there. I’d tell them not to be discouraged. They’ve had a couple of years that haven’t been great. But if Andrew can come back and do the things he’s capable of, they’ll be back very quickly. Stay encouraged. That would be my message.

Tony and Lauren Dungy will be in the Indianapolis area for two book signings — Aug. 17, 7 p.m., at Barnes & Noble Books Sellers, 14790 Greyhound Plaza in Carmel; and Aug. 18, 11 a.m., at the Lifeway Christian Store, 5458 E. 82nd St. in Indianapolis. 

Follow IndyStar sports writer Clifton Brown on Twitter @CliftonGBrown.