Report: Tony Dungy in consideration to run for Michigan senate seat

Former NFL head coach Tony Dungy is reportedly a possibility to run for a seat on the Michigan state Senate.

According to Al Weaver of The Hill, Dungy’s name was floated among four names, Bill Huizenga, John James and Mike Rodgers, to replace Democrat Gary Peters. Peters announced he will retire and not seek re-election in 2026.

Dungy would be up as a Republican for that election. He’s currently 69 years old and works for NBC’s Sunday Night Football pre and postgame show.

Dungy has been outspoken in his political and personal beliefs over the last few years such as bathroom issues in schools, as outlined by Awful Announcing, his stance on abortion, and previous dips into Michigan politics.

Dungy no longer lives in Michigan but his roots remain. He was born and raised in Jackson, Michigan and then attended the University of Minnesota before a storied football career as a player and coach.

Dungy played quarterback for Minnesota in 1975 and ‘76, being named the team’s MVP. He went undrafted in 1977 and ended up playing defensive back for the Pittsburgh Steelers as a rookie. 

The following season, he helped the Steelers win Super Bowl XIII, logging six interceptions that year. He finished his career with the San Francisco 49ers in 1979 and was a practice squad play for the New York Giants in 1980, being cut prior to the season.

That’s when Dungy embarked on his coaching career, starting as a DBs coach at Minnesota. He returned to the Steelers in the same role from 1981-83 and was eventually the team’s defensive coordinator from ‘84 to ‘88.

He reverted back to DBS from 1989-91 with the Kansas City Chiefs and was the Minnesota Vikings DC from 1992-95. Following that stint, he got his shot.

Dungy was named the Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach in 1996 and lasted there through the 2001 season. He went 54-42 in Tampa, making the playoffs four times and getting to the NFC Championship in 1999. 

Following his departure after the 2001 season, the Bucs won the Super Bowl with Jon Gruden and Dungy was hired by the Indianapolis Colts. From 2002-08, Dungy went 85-27, making the playoffs every season.

Led by quarterback Peyton Manning, the Colts won Super Bowl XLII in 2006. Following the 2008 season, where the Colts went 12-4 but lost in the Wild Card round, Dungy retired.

He finished his career with a 139-69 record and a 9-10 playoff record, winning one Super Bowl. Dungy was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2016.