Colts coach Tony Dungy remains true to his school and his many friends in Minnesota

This article is borrowed from the Pioneer Press because of its exceptional representation of the situation which cannot be replicated without plagiarism. By Sean Jensen sjensen@pioneerpress.com Article Last Updated: 09/11/2008 11:36:20 PM CDT Given his popularity in Minnesota, Tony Dungy will be overwhelmed with requests and visitors this weekend as his Indianapolis Colts prepare to play the Vikings. University of Minnesota athletics director Joel Maturi will not be among them. "I'll text him, but I understand what a coach's life is like," Maturi said. "He's going to have lots of people who want a piece of him." Although Dungy, a 1978 University of Minnesota graduate, hasn't worked or studied in Minnesota for more than a decade, he still maintains many relationships here with friends, former Vikings, former Gophers teammates, neighbors and his brother Linden, a dentist in Farmington. He returns often during the offseason and drew more than 3,000 people to his keynote address at the University of Minnesota Alumni Association celebration in May 2007, months after he coached the Colts to victory in Super Bowl XLI. But his goal on this weekend's trip is clear. "It is always fun going up there," Dungy said. "Really, this is going to be more of a quick business trip, though." Dungy said he planned to speak with many of his well-wishers during the week, especially because the Colts don't arrive until Saturday, then leave right after the game Sunday afternoon in the Metrodome. Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier isn't sure when he will get a chance to visit and catch up with his friend. "It is really tough," said Frazier, who coached on Dungy's staff for two seasons before joining the Vikings last season. "It is hard to do because of our schedules. It's just really tough to be able to do, so we end up conversing by phone more so than face to face." That so many people like Dungy doesn't surprise Maturi or former Gophers teammate Keith Fahnhorst, who lives in Eden Prairie. "It goes to show the kind of respect he's always carried, from everyone he's had contact with," said Fahnhorst, an offensive lineman who played 14 years for the San Francisco 49ers. "I know from time to time he was pursued as a head coach but also pursued as far as advice on head coach searches. "That goes to show you that he hasn't burned any bridges, like some people can do," Fahnhorst said. "But that's the way Tony always has been. Every place he's been, he's been respected." In 1973, when Fahnhorst was a senior and Dungy a freshman at the U, the veteran Gopher was impressed with the team's young quarterback. "I knew he was smart. You could tell a smart guy, football-wise and otherwise. And he was both," Fahnhorst said. "I'd like to say he was going to be a Super Bowl winning coach someday. But he was a student of the game, he was always a real humble guy, and always a leader." Even then, Dungy was as calm and cool as he appears to be now. "He was always like that, which is incredible," Fahnhorst said. "I was shocked he was such a good coach, because sometimes you expect a coach to go crazy and kick some [one]." "But Tony never had to do that." Dungy is one of the few Gophers quarterbacks to lead his team to a winning record during his tenure, he was a two-time team MVP, and he left the school as the all-time career leader in passing yards, completions and touchdowns. Then, even after landing his first head coaching job at Tampa Bay, Dungy always made time to help the University of Minnesota, especially as the school rallied support and money for a new on-campus stadium. "Tony is a great Gopher," Maturi said. "He cares about the university deeply." Dungy taped a segment for the university to use. He encouraged them to use his name in letters. And he chaired a fund-raising effort. "He's very passionate about the university, and he wants to see football back on campus, so he wanted to contribute where he could," Maturi said. His willingness to help has paid dividends. "Any time someone as visible as Tony Dungy is supportive of a cause, other people have a tendency to listen," Maturi said. This weekend, though, Dungy has business to take care of. "The fact that we are 0-1 and really need a win, it makes it all that more important," Dungy said. "It is a great area with great memories for me, so I'm excited. "I'll be excited this weekend."