INDIANAPOLIS - Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy denied that he had decided to retire, after a report from Profootballtalk.com began making waves on the Internet, ESPN reported Wednesday.

The report, citing an unnamed NFL source, said Dungy was quitting and would be replaced by assistant Jim Caldwell.

"Believe it or not, I'm going to go through the process just like I said I would," Dungy told ESPN. "[Owner] Jim Irsay and I, along with [team president] Bill Polian, have have been talking about this for the last couple of days in Indianapolis. Jim wants me to open the new stadium. I'm not opposed to it, my wife it not opposed to it. I'm going to go through this process to make sure that I should do it.

"My wife and I will continue to discuss it and pray about it," he said. "We should have some type of decision by Saturday or Sunday. The first person outside my family that will know about it is Jim Irsay, and nobody else will know about it before Jim.

"It's amazing that people don't want to believe what I said all along, that I would take this week to make my decision."

When Lucas Oil Stadium opens for the 2008-2009 football season, it's still unclear who will be coaching the Colts. Dungy is resting on his family and his faith to figure it out.

Dungy says he is trying to strike a delicate balance between personal and professional life. A career coach, he's always said being a "dad" is job number one. Dungy's wife Lauren and his three children still at home are living in Tampa.

"I don't want to short change either one. I don't want to short change the Colts and I certainly don't want to short change my family," he said.

"I still enjoy it very much. I love coming to work. I'm not burned out at all. All those things are really positive. If there's any place you want to work, it's here. The other side of the coin is I've done it a long time. I've got some kids that I need to be a good dad to," he added.

Dungy spoke to reporters Monday following his team's disappointing playoff loss to the San Diego Chargers. He also addressed questions about his future with the team.

"Tony knows how much I want him to stay, we talked about it; had a visit on Friday and we'll see where it goes," said Colts owner Jim Irsay, who's willing to give Dungy special incentives to stay. Irsay says he'll keep paying him the big bucks, help him get back to Tampa Bay more often, even give him additional time off if necessary. It's not clear if that will be enough to keep Dungy in Indianapolis.

"It's his decision to make and whatever decision he makes I respect. He hasn't told me that he's made a decision. In fact, he's told me that he hasn't made a decision. So I believe him and that's the way we'll deal with it," said Colts President Bill Polian.

"My wife and I will sit down and evaluate it this week. We'll probably do a lot of praying about what we want to do," said Dungy.

The coach expects to have a decision a week from Monday, and adding that he's "hoping to be back but we'll see what happens."

Player reaction
His players would certainly like to see Dungy return.

"It's not my decision. It's his decision. He's the best coach in the NFL. I obviously want him back. But it's not our choice," said Dallas Clark, Colts tight end.

"Everybody started talking about him leaving. I hope it's not true. I hope they are just rumors and he continues to coach this Colts football team. We need coach Dungy in order to be successful," said Marlin Jackson, defensive back.

Community involvement
While many people may be accustomed to seeing the coach on the sidelines of games, he has been very public about his faith and spends much of his off-time at Northside New Era Missionary Baptist Church.

"I'm praying with him as he makes this very difficult decision," said Pastor Clarence Moore. He says Dungy's presence at Bible study and regular services has helped this church grow exponentially.

"He's invaluable to our ministry and the young people in our church just love him. They are inspired by his presence," said Rev. Moore.

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