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NFL Rumors: Detroit Lions asked Tony Dungy if he wanted job before hiring Jim Caldwell

By Josh Hill

Dec 9, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Detroit Lions helmets sit on the field during warmups prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. The Packers won 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 9, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Detroit Lions helmets sit on the field during warmups prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. The Packers won 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 9, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Detroit Lions helmets sit on the field during warmups prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. The Packers won 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 9, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Detroit Lions helmets sit on the field during warmups prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. The Packers won 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

When the Detroit Lions head coaching position opened up, one of the first names that was mentioned was former Buccaneers and Colts head coach Tony Dungy. As usually, Dungy came up as he always does when a coaching vacancy opens, but not many people took it seriously.

Then Dungy said that if he were looking for a head coaching job, the Lions position would be the one he’d want. He was speaking out endorsing the job, but the Lions must have taken his comments at face value as the Detroit Free Press reports that the team gauged Dungy’s interest in becoming head coach.

Before you go thinking the Lions jumped at Dungy just because he made comments about the team, the question was made in a half jokingmanner.  Besides doing their due diligence, the call to Dungy was to ask him about coaching candidates and specifically Jim Caldwell. Dungy gave Caldwell a “glowing review” and the former Ravens offensive coordinator was hired on Tuesday. 

Dungy probably usually fields calls like this all the time from both college and pro teams, but it’s always funny to hear of teams actually asking Dungy if he’d want to coach again, hoping that they caught him the one time he’d say yes.

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