Tony Dungy Leadership Research Paper
Final Project
“Tony Dungy”
Elizabeth O’Neil
Dr. King
MA 327
March 1, 2012 In figuring out who I wanted to write this paper on, many different leaders popped into my mind. I knew I wanted to choose a “sports figure” because playing sports has always been a huge part of my life. Every coach I have had, regardless of the sport, has always been a leader in my eyes so I thought it would be fitting to choose a coach. Coach Tony Dungy is said to be one of the greatest to ever coach the game of football. I would have to agree with that statement. I have been a fan of Tony Dungy ever since he became the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts in 2002. I look up to, and respect him as a coach and as a person. I wanted to write this paper about him in hopes of learning more about his leadership style and what he thinks it takes to be a leader. Since I aspire to be like him as a coach, I want to leave a lasting positive impression upon the young individuals that I teach. I believe that that is exactly what Tony Dungy did for all of the players he has coached. He used his abilities, skills, values, and ethics to inspire, motivate and coach his teams on to victory. Not only did I chose to write about Tony Dungy because of his leadership on the field, but how his leadership has always carried off the field as well. Tony Dungy believes that in order to be a great leader you have to not only know where you are going, but know who you are following (Brown). Coach Dungy follows Jesus Christ. "If people didn’t know me and only knew my public persona, what I’d want them to know is everything that I do, I do for the Glory of Lord," Dungy states (Brown). "Because of my Christian faith, that’s who I am. I wasn’t always that way, but I’m very proud that I am. I would tell people that I’m the same person. I have ups and downs. I have negative thoughts, negative actions. I don’t win every game. I have the same issues that everybody else has. What I’ve tried to do is use my
“Tony Dungy”
Elizabeth O’Neil
Dr. King
MA 327
March 1, 2012 In figuring out who I wanted to write this paper on, many different leaders popped into my mind. I knew I wanted to choose a “sports figure” because playing sports has always been a huge part of my life. Every coach I have had, regardless of the sport, has always been a leader in my eyes so I thought it would be fitting to choose a coach. Coach Tony Dungy is said to be one of the greatest to ever coach the game of football. I would have to agree with that statement. I have been a fan of Tony Dungy ever since he became the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts in 2002. I look up to, and respect him as a coach and as a person. I wanted to write this paper about him in hopes of learning more about his leadership style and what he thinks it takes to be a leader. Since I aspire to be like him as a coach, I want to leave a lasting positive impression upon the young individuals that I teach. I believe that that is exactly what Tony Dungy did for all of the players he has coached. He used his abilities, skills, values, and ethics to inspire, motivate and coach his teams on to victory. Not only did I chose to write about Tony Dungy because of his leadership on the field, but how his leadership has always carried off the field as well. Tony Dungy believes that in order to be a great leader you have to not only know where you are going, but know who you are following (Brown). Coach Dungy follows Jesus Christ. "If people didn’t know me and only knew my public persona, what I’d want them to know is everything that I do, I do for the Glory of Lord," Dungy states (Brown). "Because of my Christian faith, that’s who I am. I wasn’t always that way, but I’m very proud that I am. I would tell people that I’m the same person. I have ups and downs. I have negative thoughts, negative actions. I don’t win every game. I have the same issues that everybody else has. What I’ve tried to do is use my
Cited: Brown, Shawn. "Tony Dungy: Overcoming Adversity On and Off the Field." CBN.com. The 700 Club.Web. 29 Feb. 2012. <http://www.cbn.com/entertainment/sports/700club_tonydungy 10090 .aspx>. Dungy, Tony, and Nathan Whitaker. Quiet Strength: A Memoir. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House, 2007.Print. Mahoney, Kelli. "Tony Dungy - NFL Head Coach." About.com Christian Teens. Web. 29 Feb. 2012. <http://christianteens.about.com/od/famouschristians/p/TonyDungy.htm>. Nahavandi, Afsaneh. The Art and Science of Leadership. 6th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2012. Print.