Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay moved quickly and decisively when hiring Tony Dungy as head coach in 2002.
Dungy anticipates a similar scenario with the team's latest search, and he won't be surprised if it takes Irsay to former Ohio State coach Jim Tressel.
"I think he's got his person in mind," Dungy said during a Monday appearance on Dan Patrick's radio show. "I don't know who it is, but I know how Jim (Irsay) operates. He gets a strong feel about somebody.
"It may be Jim Tressel. That's what I'm hearing, but I don't know that."
Irsay fired Jim Mora on Jan. 8, 2002. When Tampa Bay fired Dungy six days later, Irsay immediately targeted Dungy as his coach. That happened Jan. 23.
On his Twitter account over the weekend, Irsay wrote that he hoped to wrap up his latest coaching search this week. The team fired Jim Caldwell on Jan. 2.
Along with interviewing Tressel, it's known the Colts have talked with New Orleans offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael Jr. and Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Jerry Gray. ESPN.com's Adam Schefter tweeted the Colts will interview Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano today. Fox Sports reported over the weekend the team interviewed Saints offensive line/running game coach Aaron Kromer. It's believed they also have an interest in Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer and former Minnesota Vikings head coach Brad Childress.
Dungy believes Tressel "would be a good NFL coach," but added Irsay must come to terms with Tressel's resignation at Ohio State and the sanctions delivered by the NCAA.
"You would have to determine what you think about Jim Tressel as a person," Dungy said. "If you get through that and say, 'I believe in this guy and I know what happened at Ohio State and I think it was a mistake and he's learned from it, I believe in second chances.'
"But that's a decision Jim Irsay has to make."
Mathis: family first
For Robert Mathis, family trumped football.
The Colts' veteran defensive end will forego an appearance in Sunday's Pro Bowl in Honolulu to remain with his fiancée Brandi and the couple's twin boys, Robert Nathan and Nathan Robert.
Mathis, who led the Colts with 91/2 sacks, was named a first alternate behind teammate Dwight Freeney and New England's Andre Carter. He was to replace Carter, who suffered a season-ending injury, but then declined the invitation after the Jan. 9 arrival of the twins.
Freeney will be the Colts' only representative in the game.
Call Star reporter Mike Chappell at (317) 444-6830.
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