Tony Dungy always considered football just a career path.

Not his life's mission.

Yesterday, Dungy began the transition from head coach to full-time dad and devoted volunteer by announcing his retirement after seven years leading the Indianapolis Colts.

"We just felt this was the right time," Dungy said. "Don't shed any tears for me. I got to live a dream most people don't get to live."

The move triggered a succession plan Indianapolis put in place a year ago, making Jim Caldwell, the associate head coach, Dungy's replacement.

But the culmination of a 31-year NFL career, which started with Dungy winning a Super Bowl ring as a player in Pittsburgh and ended two years after he became the first black coach to hoist the Lombardi Trophy, brought out some rare emotional moments from the usually stoic Dungy.

"My wife Lauren told me to bring some Kleenex. I thought I would make it a little farther than the first sentence," Dungy said, his voice cracking.

He told owner Jim Irsay of his decision Sunday.

"And we spent about 2 1/2 hours crying," Dungy said. "But I had a real peace about it."

The 53-year-old Dungy informed his staff of the decision yesterday morning, then met with some players after the traditional one-week waiting period ended.

Dungy set league records for most consecutive playoff seasons (10) and consecutive 12-win seasons (six), and leaves with the highest average of regular-season victories of any coach in league history (10.7).

In addition, Dungy finished his six-year tenure in Tampa Bay and his seven-year stint in Indy as the career leader in victories for both franchises, finishing with an overall record of 148-79.

The city of Indianapolis applauded Dungy's achievement when he finally won the Super Bowl and rallied around Dungy's family when he endured his greatest tragedy — his son's suicide in 2005.

ELSEWHERE

Cardinals: Arizona starting tight end Stephen Spach is out for the playoffs with a torn knee ligament. Spach tore his right anterior cruciate ligament while blocking in the second half of Saturday night's 33-13 victory over Carolina.

Meanwhile, it was uncertain if Pro Bowl receiver Anquan Boldin, who sat out against the Panthers with a strained left hamstring, would play in Sunday's NFC championship game against Philadelphia.

Titans: Tennessee rookie running back Chris Johnson wore a walking boot on his injured right foot yesterday and was scheduled for an MRI exam after a high ankle sprain knocked him out of the Titans' playoff loss to Baltimore. The injury puts Johnson's status for the Pro Bowl in doubt.

All-Pro center Kevin Mawae needs surgery on a partially torn triceps tendon in his right arm and will miss the Pro Bowl as a result.

Jaguars: Jacksonville promoted Gene Smith to general manager, one of four changes in the franchise's personnel department. Team owner Wayne Weaver also named Terry McDonough director of player personnel, Tim Mingey assistant director of college personnel and Andy Dengler national scout.

Saints: New Orleans promoted Pete Carmichael Jr. to offensive coordinator and also hired former Northwestern assistant Bret Ingalls as the team's running backs coach. Carmichael replaces Doug Marrone, who left late in the season to become head coach at Syracuse.

Seahawks: Seattle hired Casey Bradley as its defensive coordinator and Dan Quinn as its defensive line coach and assistant head coach. The 42-year-old Bradley has been the linebackers coach for Tampa Bay the past two seasons.