Tony Dungy Is in Eugene: Will He Have an Impact on The Oregon Program?

For the second time in one week, I crossed Tony Dungy exiting a local retail store in north Eugene. Another friend spotted him purchasing a large amount of furniture in Springfield nearly a month ago. Rob Mosley of the Register Guard has reported on Twitter that Tony has been present at recent summer freshman and team conditioning workouts.

Anybody that follows the Oregon program is aware that Dungy's son Eric signed with Oregon last February and moved to Eugene before summer conditioning with the team.

A 6-1' and 175 pound defensive back, it still remains to be seen just which position Eric will play, and if he will redshirt in the 2010 season.

The elder Dungy is very well respected in football circles, and displays a character and lifestyle that certainly doesn't draw attention to his celebrity football status.

With the amount of time he spends away from Florida, I began to wonder just how much input and feedback will Chip Kelly and his staff be gathering from the former Super Bowl champion coach?  

The very presence of Dungy on the sidelines and around the program gives Oregon a boost of respect and dignity much needed after an off-season of negative publicity.

The former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach was considered instrumental in the personal revelation of LaGarrette Blount, following his infamous incident against Boise State in 2009.  

Personally, I consider landing Eric as a Duck to be a much larger potential impact than the commitment of Nick Montana to the Washington Huskies earlier this year.

The very presence of the former coach around the team should promote determination, personal responsibility and a commitment to understanding the game of football.  

Just how much Eugene and the Oregon program will see Eric's father come fall time is very uncertain. Tony will be returning to his NBC position as a studio color analyst for the NFL's Sunday Night Football, and he still calls Tampa, Florida his hometown.

Regardless of Dungy's future role around the program, it is safe to say that he will have a very positive impact on the team for the next four to five years.