Posted on 01/15/2002 4:37:45 AM PST by RedBloodedAmerican
TAMPA, Fla. -- Tony Dungy was fired Monday night as coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, likely clearing the way for the team to hire Bill Parcells.
Dungy was the most successful coach in club history, compiling a 54-42 record in six seasons and leading the Bucs to the playoffs in four of the past five years.
There was no immediate word on a successor, but the Bucs are believed to be close to agreeing to terms with Parcells, who won two Super Bowls with the New York Giants.
The official hiring of Parcells probably will be delayed for four-to-six days as he finalizes contract details and begins the process of assembling a staff.
According to a report in the Tampa Tribune on Monday, Parcells' deal is believed to be for three years and may include an option for two years or more that would allow Parcells to assume a higher role in the organization should he desire it.
Contacted by The New York Times on Monday, Parcells denied he had reached a deal with the Bucs.
"My status has not changed since January 2000," when he stopped coaching the Jets.
"I've had at least two inquiries and a couple of college inquiries but nothing is imminent. Nothing is in place. The TV reports are so far ahead of the facts, it's ridiculous."
But a Jets official told the Times on Monday that Parcells, 60, had contacted Dan Henning, who was his offensive coordinator from 1998 to 2000.
The Dungy announcement came just hours after a team spokesman said the coach's status wouldn't be determined until the he met Tuesday with general manager Rich McKay and the sons of owner Malcolm Glazer.
"It has been a privilege to work with not only Tony Dungy the coach, but Tony Dungy the man," Glazer said in a brief statement. "This has been a most difficult decision. Tony has done great things for our football team and our community."
The dismissal of Dungy and the arrival of Parcells to one of the most underachieving clubs in recent NFL history has been rumored for nearly a year. Rumors first began last year in days preceding Super Bowl XXXV that Bucs management was flirting with Parcells, but Glazer ultimately decided to maintain the status quo.
There has been speculation that McKay's job also could be in jeopardy if Parcells replaces Dungy, however there was no indication Monday night whether the general manager will return.
Dungy took over a struggling team that had not had a winning season in 13 years and transformed the Bucs into a Super Bowl contender in just three seasons.
He led the team to the NFC Championship game two years ago, but was under fire for most of his tenure because of an anemic offense that ultimately cost him his job.
The Bucs went 9-7 this season, overcoming a slow start to earn the final NFC wild-card spot. But a second straight loss to Philadelphia in the first round of the playoffs sealed his fate.
Dungy, who had refused to speculate on his future, scheduled a news conference for Tuesday at the Bucs training complex.
The coach's agent, Ray Anderson, did not return telephone messages. He had sought a quick decision from the Glazers so Dungy could be considered for other head coaching vacancies.
The Indianapolis Colts and Carolina Panthers both have openings, and ESPN's Chris Mortensen says Dungy is an instant candidate for both.
"It's a disappointment," Pro Bowl safety John Lynch said.
"You look upon it in terms of what he meant to our organization and to me, and that's a great deal. As a coach he has brought a tremendous amount of respect to the franchise. More importantly is the contribution he made to a number of players by making them better men. There are few people I admire more than coach Dungy."
The Glazers have remained silent about their pursuit of Parcells, who won Super Bowl titles with the Giants in 1986 and 1990, took New England to the Super Bowl in 1996 and the New York Jets to the AFC Championship game in 1998.
Dungy's replacement will inherit a team in much better shape than the one the former coach took over in 1996.
Before Dungy's arrival, the Bucs posted a .307 winning percentage (94-213-1), won 10 games in a season once and made three playoff appearances in 20 seasons.
Dungy has a .563 regular-season winning percentage, has won 10 or more games three times and guided Tampa Bay to its first NFC Central title in 18 years in 1999.
The Bucs had 18 Pro Bowl appearances before Dungy, an average of less than one per season. In the past six years, the team has sent 35 players to the Pro Bowl, in addition to having an average of two players per season voted first-team All-Pro.
Cornerback Ronde Barber was an All-Pro selection for the first time this season.
"He gave me an opportunity in the league and it's something I hold dear to my heart. I'm at a loss for words," Barber said.
"He should be remembered for how he pulled this franchise from the ashes. He made it into something, and made a bunch of players into special players."
I like him, he may not be my favorite, but he is a good coach and will do better someplace else.
The Tuna is Mike Ditka reincarnated. They will do worse, IMO.
The Bucs offense(?) is what hurt him. Look higher than the coach there. Try Rich McKay. The curse of his father hangs around like the Ancient Mariner's albatross.
You did hear his post-game rant, didn't you?
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