Dungy: Cowboys will need time to adjust to Kiffin's defensive scheme but "it'll be good" when they do

Former NFL coach Tony Dungy said new Cowboys’ defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin with “bring some energy and enthusiasm and accountability” to the team. But he cautioned Cowboys’ fans not to expect an immediate defensive turnaround under Kiffin, 72, because the 4-3 scheme he is expected to implement _ and used in Tampa Bay while serving as Dungy’s defensive coordinator _ will require some time for players to absorb.

“It’ll take a while for those guys to really understand what he’s saying. But when they do, it’ll be good,” Dungy said today at the Gaylord Texan Resort, where he will receive the Theodore Roosevelt Award as part of tonight’s activities at the NCAA Convention.

Dungy reflected on his early struggles in Tampa Bay, with Kiffin on his staff, as that team sought to implement the “Tampa 2” scheme.

“We didn’t come into the Cowboys’ (personnel) situation. They’ve got a little bit more cohesiveness and talent (in Dallas) than we had our first year there,” Dungy said of his first season in Tampa. “It took us about nine weeks before we even got the hang of it in Tampa. We were 1-8 and not hitting on all cylinders. But the guys stuck with it and grew into it. And that became a very, very good defensive team.”

_ Jimmy Burch