Tony Dungy on Detroit Lions coaching staff: 'It's a good diverse mix'
Tony Dungy knows the winning formula. He first learned it as one of Chuck Noll's disciples with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He later displayed it as a head coach with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Indianapolis Colts, culminating with a victory in Super Bowl XLI.
Now, as an observer and commentator, he sees the winning formula coming together in the Detroit Lions coaching staff.
"I think that’s what the Lions have," Dungy told the Lions' official website, referencing a staff with passion and good communication skills. "It’s a good diverse mix. Guys from different backgrounds and different experience, but I think Jim (Caldwell) has come across them all at some point and he knows that the way he’s trying to do it, and what’s going to become the Lions’ way of doing things. That’s what these guys believe in."
Caldwell, who took over the Lions before the 2014 season, has handed off his offense, defense and special teams to reliable coordinators in Joe Lombardi, Teryl Austin and Joe Marciano, respectively.
Beyond the coordinators, though, the Lions have up-and-coming assistants in quarterbacks coach Jim Bob Cooter and offensive line coach Jeremiah Washburn. They also have valuable experience in linebackers coach Bill Sheridan, running backs coach Curtis Modkins and defensive backs/safeties coach Alan Williams, all of whom have served as coordinators in the NFL at some point in their respective careers.
Then there's Jim Washburn, who's generally regarded as a guru of the defensive line.
Dungy says things start to come together in the second season under a new coaching staff, so he plans on watching the Lions closely in 2015.
"The first year is teaching what you want and really getting the guys to buy in," Dungy said, via DetroitLions.com. "I think that’s what happened with the Lions. They started winning some games they hadn’t won in the past, overcoming adversity, and you could see them really buying in.
"Now, this year, that foundation is there and now it’s building on it. Some of those young players, I think, are really going to come together and really take off."
The Lions went 11-5 and qualified for the playoffs in their first season under Caldwell, but the bar has been raised for Year 2. With quarterback Matthew Stafford in the prime of his career, Detroit is now poised to make a deep playoff run.
(h/t Detroit Lions)
Photo Credit: Scott Halleran/Getty Images
