View source for Don Shula

{{Short description|American football player and coach (1930–2020)}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| image          = Don Shula at Giants Stadium.jpg
| alt            =
| caption        = Shula in 1987
| number         = 96, 44, 25, 26
| position       = [[Defensive back]]
| birth_date     = {{Birth date|1930|1|4|mf=y}}
| birth_place    = [[Grand River, Ohio]], U.S.
| death_date     = {{Death date and age|2020|05|04|1930|1|4|mf=y}}
| death_place    = [[Indian Creek, Florida]], U.S.
| height_ft      = 5
| height_in      = 11
| weight_lbs     = 190
| high_school    = [[Thomas W. Harvey High School|Harvey]] ([[Painesville, Ohio]])
| college        = [[John Carroll Blue Streaks football|John Carroll]]
| draftyear      = 1951
| draftround     = 9
| draftpick      = 110
| pastteams      =
* [[Cleveland Browns]] ({{NFL Year|1951}}–{{NFL Year|1952}})
* [[Baltimore Colts]] ({{NFL Year|1953}}–{{NFL Year|1956}})
* [[Washington Commanders|Washington Redskins]] ({{NFL Year|1957}})
| pastcoaching   =
* [[Virginia Cavaliers football|Virginia]] (1958) <br > Defensive backs coach
* [[Kentucky Wildcats football|Kentucky]] (1959) <br > Defensive backs coach
* [[Detroit Lions]] ({{NFL Year|1960}}) <br> Defensive backs coach
* Detroit Lions ({{NFL Year|1961}}–{{NFL Year|1962}}) <br> Defensive coordinator
* [[Baltimore Colts]] ({{NFL Year|1963}}–{{NFL Year|1969}}) <br> Head coach
* [[Miami Dolphins]] ({{NFL Year|1970}}–{{NFL Year|1995}}) <br> Head coach
| highlights     =
* 2× [[List of Super Bowl champions|Super Bowl champion]] ([[Super Bowl VII|VII]], [[Super Bowl VIII|VIII]])
* [[NFL champion]] ([[1968 NFL Championship Game|1968]])
* 4× [[AP NFL Coach of the Year]] (1964, 1967, 1968, 1972)
* [[Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year|''Sports Illustrated'' Sportsman of the Year]] (1993)
* [[Kansas City Committee of 101 awards#Lamar Hunt Award|Lamar Hunt Award]] (2013)
* [[NFL 1970s All-Decade Team]]
* [[National Football League 100th Anniversary All-Time Team|NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team]]
* [[Miami Dolphins Honor Roll]]
* [[Miami Dolphins#The Miami Dolphins 50 Greatest Players|Dolphins Walk of Fame]]
;NFL records
* Most regular season wins as a head coach (328)
* Most total wins as a head coach (347)
* Coached [[1972 Miami Dolphins season|only undefeated season through regular season and playoffs]]
| statleague     = NFL
| statlabel1     = Games played
| statvalue1     = 73
| statlabel2     = Interceptions
| statvalue2     = 21
| regular_record = {{Winning percentage|328|156|6|record=y}}
| playoff_record = {{Winning percentage|19|17|record=y}}
| overall_record = {{Winning percentage|347|173|6|record=y}}
| pfr            = ShulDo20
| pfrcoach       = ShulDo0
| pfrexec        = ShulDo0
| HOF            = don-shula 
}}

'''Donald Francis Shula''' (January 4, 1930 – May 4, 2020) was an American [[American football|football]] defensive back and coach who served as a head coach in the [[National Football League]] (NFL) from 1963 to 1995. The head coach of the [[Miami Dolphins]] for most of his career, Shula is the NFL's [[List of National Football League head coach wins leaders|winningest head coach]] at 347 career victories and 328 regular season victories. He is regarded as one of the greatest head coaches of all time.

Shula held his first head coaching position with the [[Baltimore Colts]] for seven seasons and spent his next 26 seasons with Miami. With the Dolphins, he led the team to two consecutive [[Super Bowl]] titles in [[Super Bowl VII]] and [[Super Bowl VIII]]. His first Super Bowl title during 1972 is the only [[perfect season]] in NFL history.

Shula was the first head coach to appear in six Super Bowls, five with the Dolphins and one with the Colts. His six Super Bowl appearances rank second among head coaches and he has the most Super Bowl losses at four.{{efn|Shula is tied with [[Bud Grant]], [[Marv Levy]], and [[Dan Reeves]] for the most [[Super Bowl]] losses.}} He was also the first head coach to bring two franchises to the Super Bowl and appear in three consecutive Super Bowls, which he accomplished with the Dolphins from 1971 to 1973. Having guided Baltimore to [[Super Bowl III]] and Miami to [[Super Bowl VI]], Shula is the only head coach to lead two franchises to their Super Bowl debut. He was inducted to the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] in 1997.

==Early life==
Shula was born on January 4, 1930, in [[Grand River, Ohio]], a small town along the [[Lake Erie]] shore in the northeastern part of the state.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.upi.com/Top_News/2019/01/04/UPI-Almanac-for-Friday-Jan-4-2019/5471546221584/|title=UPI Almanac for Friday, Jan. 4, 2019|work=[[United Press International]]|date=January 4, 2019|access-date=September 4, 2019|archive-date=January 5, 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190105012355/http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2019/01/04/UPI-Almanac-for-Friday-Jan-4-2019/5471546221584/|url-status=live|quote=Pro Football Hall of Fame coach and player Don Shula in 1930 (age 89)}}</ref><ref name="News-Herald article">{{cite news |last=Schudel |first=Jeff |title=Don Shula at 80: From Harvey to Hall |url=http://www.news-herald.com/general-news/20100718/don-shula-at-80-from-harvey-to-hall-with-slideshow-video |access-date=November 2, 2013 |newspaper=The News-Herald |date=August 9, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103234608/http://www.news-herald.com/general-news/20100718/don-shula-at-80-from-harvey-to-hall-with-slideshow-video |archive-date=November 3, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> His parents, Dan and Mary Shula  (Dénes Süle and Mária Miller),<ref name="Suele">{{cite news |title= Don Shula, legendary Hungarian American NFL head coach dies at 90 |url= https://hungarianfreepress.com/2020/05/07/don-shula-legendary-hungarian-american-nfl-head-coach-dies-at-90/ | newspaper=Hungarian Free Press |date=May 7, 2020 }}</ref><ref name="Hungarian Roots">{{cite news |title=Hungarian Roots: Don Shula, Legendary American Football Coach |url=https://hungarytoday.hu/hungarian-roots-don-shula-legendary-american-football-coach-85641/ |newspaper=Hungary Today |date=March 30, 2016 |access-date=May 4, 2020 |archive-date=May 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518050317/https://hungarytoday.hu/hungarian-roots-don-shula-legendary-american-football-coach-85641/ |url-status=live }}</ref> were of [[Hungary|Hungarian]] origin, having immigrated when they were children.<ref name="Shula's Roots story">{{cite news |title=Shula's Roots – A Rock Foundation |url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1993-11-15/sports/9311150043_1_shula-s-roots-shula-s-foundation-hometown |access-date=November 2, 2013 |newspaper=Sun-Sentinel |date=November 15, 1993 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103200841/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1993-11-15/sports/9311150043_1_shula-s-roots-shula-s-foundation-hometown |archive-date=November 3, 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Shula's father Dan worked for $9 a week at a rose nursery and saved up to buy the small house where Shula spent his early childhood. The house was next door to a grocery store in Grand River owned by Mary's parents.<ref name="Shula's Roots story" /> Shula played football in his neighborhood as a child, but his parents forbade it after he got a gash on his face when he was 11.<ref name="News-Herald article" />

Shula had six siblings, including a set of triplets born in 1936. To meet the family's financial needs, his father obtained a job in the local fishing industry for $15 a week, and later worked at a [[rayon]] plant in nearby [[Painesville, Ohio]]. Shula attended elementary school at St. Mary's, a private [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] school in Painesville; his mother was a devout Catholic, and his father converted to that denomination when they married.<ref name="Shula's Roots story" />

==Playing career==
Shula later attended [[Thomas W. Harvey High School|Harvey High School]] in [[Painesville, Ohio]], where he played on its football team starting in 1945. He did not try out for the team because of his mother's prohibition and because he was recovering from a bout of [[pneumonia]], but an assistant football coach noticed him in a gym class and convinced him to join. Shula forged his parents' signatures to sign up.<ref name="News-Herald article" /><ref name="Shula's Roots story" />

Within weeks of joining Harvey's football team, Shula was a starting left [[halfback (American football)|halfback]] in the school's [[Single-wing formation|single-wing]] offense.<ref name="Shula's Roots story" /> He handled a large portion of the team's rushing and passing duties, and helped lead the team to a 7–3 [[Winning percentage|win–loss record]] in his [[senior (education)|senior]] year. It was the first time in 18 years that Harvey High School had had a seven-win season. The team would have won a league title had it not lost an early game to [[South High School (Willoughby, Ohio)|Willoughby]]. He also ran the [[440-yard dash]] at Harvey and was an 11-time [[letterman (sports)|letterman]] in his three years there.<ref name="Shula's Roots story" />

===John Carroll University===
As Shula prepared to graduate from high school in 1947, many men whose football careers were delayed by service in [[World War II]] were returning and competing for college athletic scholarships.<ref name="News-Herald article" /> As a result, Shula was unable to get a scholarship and contemplated working for a year before going to college. That summer, however, he had a chance meeting at a gas station with former Painesville football coach Howard Bauchman, who suggested he ask about a scholarship at [[John Carroll University]].<ref name="News-Herald article" />

Shula received a one-year scholarship at the private [[Jesuit]] school in [[University Heights, Ohio|University Heights]], a suburb of [[Cleveland]].<ref name="News-Herald article" /><ref name="Shula's Roots story" /> It was extended to a full scholarship after Shula performed well during his [[freshman]] year, including a victory over [[Youngstown State Penguins football|Youngstown State]] in October 1948.<ref name="News-Herald article" /><ref name="CNNSI timeline">{{cite web |title=A Don Shula Timeline |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/features/1997/weekly/970728/shula/timeline.html |work=CNNSI.com |access-date=November 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104102404/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/features/1997/weekly/970728/shula/timeline.html |archive-date=November 4, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He ran for 175 yards and scored two touchdowns substituting for the injured starting halfback.<ref name="CNNSI timeline" /> The same year, Shula considered joining the Catholic priesthood after a three-day retreat at John Carroll, but decided against it because of his commitment to football.<ref name="CNNSI timeline" />

During his [[senior (education)|senior]] year in 1950, he rushed for 125 yards in a win over a heavily favored [[Syracuse Orange football|Syracuse]] team.<ref name="Coffin Corner article">{{cite journal|last=Horrigan|first=Joe|title=Don Shula: All-Time Winner|journal=The Coffin Corner|year=1997|volume=19|issue=2|url=http://www.profootballresearchers.org/Coffin_Corner/19-02-693.pdf|access-date=November 2, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104172621/http://www.profootballresearchers.org/Coffin_Corner/19-02-693.pdf|archive-date=November 4, 2013}}</ref>

===Cleveland Browns===
[[File:Don Shula 1952 National Guard Photograph.jpg|thumb|Shula served for 11 months in the [[Ohio Army National Guard]] in 1952 during the [[Korean War]].]]
Shula graduated in 1951 as a sociology major with a minor in mathematics, and was offered a job teaching and coaching at [[Lincoln High School (Canton, Ohio)|Canton Lincoln High School]] in [[Canton, Ohio]] for $3,750 a year (equivalent to ${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|3750|1951|r=-3}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}}).<ref name="News-Herald article" /> The [[Cleveland Browns]] of the [[National Football League]], however, selected him in the ninth round of the [[1951 NFL draft|1951 draft]] that January.<ref name="1951 NFL draft stats">{{cite web |title=1951 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1951/draft.htm |publisher=Pro Football Reference |access-date=November 2, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131025212248/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1951/draft.htm |archive-date=October 25, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Cleveland had won the [[1950 NFL Championship Game|NFL championship]] the previous year behind a staunch defense and an offense led by [[quarterback]] [[Otto Graham]], [[fullback (American football)|fullback]] [[Marion Motley]] and [[end (American football)|end]] [[Dante Lavelli]].<ref name="pias">{{cite book|last=Piascik|first=Andy|year=2007|title=The Best Show in Football: The 1946–1955 Cleveland Browns|publisher=Taylor Trade Publishing|location=Lanham, Maryland|isbn=978-1-58979-571-6}}</ref>{{rp|177–182}} Shula was joined in the Browns' training camp by John Carroll teammate [[Carl Taseff]], whom Cleveland coach [[Paul Brown]] selected in the 22nd round.<ref name="1951 NFL draft stats" /><ref name="pias" />{{rp|220}} Brown made the selections in part because John Carroll coach [[Herb Eisele]] attended his coaching clinics and used similar schemes and terminology as Brown did.<ref name="News-Herald article" /> Shula and Taseff both made the team and were its only two rookies in 1951. Shula signed a $5,000-a-year contract and played as a [[defensive back]] alongside [[Warren Lahr]] and [[Tommy James (American football)|Tommy James]].<ref name="Coffin Corner article" /><ref name="pias" />{{rp|220}}

Shula played in all 12 of Cleveland's games in 1951, making his first appearance as a starter in October, and recorded four [[interception]]s.<ref name="CNNSI timeline" /><ref name="Shula PFR stats">{{cite web |title=Don Shula NFL Football Statistics |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/ShulDo20.htm |publisher=Pro Football Reference |access-date=November 2, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105114115/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/ShulDo20.htm |archive-date=November 5, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Browns, meanwhile, finished with an 11–1 record and advanced to the [[1951 NFL Championship Game|championship game]] for a second straight year.<ref name="1951 Browns stats">{{cite web |title=1951 Cleveland Browns Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/cle/1951.htm |publisher=Pro Football Reference |access-date=November 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023031740/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/cle/1951.htm |archive-date=October 23, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The team lost the game 24–17 to the [[Los Angeles Rams]] in Los Angeles.<ref name="pias" />{{rp|233–234}}<ref name="1951 Browns stats" />

Shula was a member of an [[Ohio Army National Guard]] unit that was activated the following January during the [[Korean War]].<ref name="CNNSI timeline" /><ref name="HOF Korean War page">{{cite web |title=Football and America: Korean War |url=http://www.profootballhof.com/history/general/war/korean/honor_roll.aspx |publisher=Pro Football Hall of Fame |access-date=November 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602020053/http://www.profootballhof.com/history/general/war/korean/honor_roll.aspx |archive-date=June 2, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Military service in Ohio and at [[Fort Polk]] in Louisiana kept Shula away from football until the unit was deactivated that November.<ref name="CNNSI timeline" /> Returning to the Browns, Shula signed a $5,500-a-year contract and played in five games at the end of the season, having become a full-time starter because of injuries to other players.<ref name="pias" />{{rp|247}}<ref name="Shula PFR coach" /> The Browns again advanced to the [[1952 NFL Championship Game|championship game]] and again lost, this time to the [[Detroit Lions]].<ref name="pias" />{{rp|251–253}}

===Baltimore Colts===
In early 1953, Brown traded Shula along with Taseff and eight other players to the [[History of the Baltimore Colts|Baltimore Colts]] in exchange for five Colts players including [[tackle (American and Canadian football)|tackle]]s [[Mike McCormack (American football)|Mike McCormack]] and [[Don Colo]].<ref name="pias" />{{rp|264}} Before joining Baltimore, Shula finished a [[master's degree]] in physical education at [[Case Western Reserve University]] in [[Cleveland]].<ref>{{cite book|title=The Britannica Guide to Football|year=2011|publisher=The Rosen Publishing Group|location=New York|isbn=978-1-61530-524-7|editor=Adam Augustyn|page=174}}</ref>

Shula signed a $6,500-a-year contract with the Colts, which was preparing for its first season after relocating from Dallas, where the franchise had been called the [[1952 Dallas Texans season|Dallas Texans]].<ref name="CNNSI timeline" /><ref name="Browns trade 10 players">{{cite news|title=Browns Trade 10 Gridders For Five Baltimore Colts|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2Z9aAAAAIBAJ&pg=4530,2985626&dq=baltimore+colts&hl=en|access-date=November 3, 2013|newspaper=St. Petersburg Times|date=March 26, 1953|agency=Associated Press|location=Cleveland|page=20|archive-date=May 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502030809/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2Z9aAAAAIBAJ&pg=4530%2C2985626&dq=baltimore+colts&hl=en|url-status=live}}</ref> The team replaced an earlier Colts franchise that folded after the 1950 season.<ref name="Colts back in NFL">{{cite news|title=Baltimore Colts Back In League|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=IWg1AAAAIBAJ&pg=2046,1400214&dq=baltimore+colts&hl=en|access-date=November 3, 2013|newspaper=The Times-News|date=February 4, 1953|agency=United Press International|location=Baltimore|page=8|archive-date=May 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502030809/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=IWg1AAAAIBAJ&pg=2046%2C1400214&dq=baltimore+colts&hl=en|url-status=live}}</ref> The Colts finished with a 3–9 record in 1953 despite leading the NFL in defensive takeaways, including three interceptions by Shula.<ref name="Shula PFR stats" /><ref name="1953 NFL defensive stats">{{cite web |title=1953 NFL Opposition & Defensive Statistics |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1953/opp.htm |publisher=Pro Football Reference |access-date=November 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130923044513/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1953/opp.htm |archive-date=September 23, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Baltimore continued to struggle the following year under new head coach [[Weeb Ewbank]], a former Browns assistant.<ref name="Colts hire Ewbank">{{cite news|title=Baltimore Colts Select Ewbank|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FckUAAAAIBAJ&pg=5323,1656700&dq=baltimore+colts+weeb&hl=en|access-date=November 3, 2013|newspaper=Eugene Register-Guard|date=January 15, 1954|agency=United Press International|location=Baltimore|page=2B|archive-date=May 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502030849/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FckUAAAAIBAJ&pg=5323%2C1656700&dq=baltimore+colts+weeb&hl=en|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="1954 Colts stats">{{cite web |title=1954 Baltimore Colts Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/clt/1954.htm |publisher=Pro Football Reference |access-date=November 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023172213/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/clt/1954.htm |archive-date=October 23, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The team again finished 3–9 for last place in the NFL West, although Shula had a career-high five interceptions.<ref name="Shula PFR stats" /><ref name="1954 Colts stats" />

Shula had five interceptions again in 1955, but the Colts finished 5–6–1, well out of contention for the divisional championship.<ref name="Shula PFR stats" /><ref name="1955 Colts stats">{{cite web |title=1955 Baltimore Colts Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/clt/1955.htm |publisher=Pro Football Reference |access-date=November 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023160406/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/clt/1955.htm |archive-date=October 23, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Shula missed the final three games of the season because of a broken jaw suffered in a 17–17 tie with the [[Los Angeles Rams]].<ref name="CNNSI timeline" /> Ewbank brought in future [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] quarterback [[Johnny Unitas]] as a backup in 1956, but the Colts posted a losing record even after Unitas became the starter partway through the season.<ref name="Unitas HOF page">{{cite web |title=Hall of Famers: Johnny Unitas |url=http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.aspx?PLAYER_ID=219 |publisher=Pro Football Hall of Fame |access-date=November 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131129122824/http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.aspx?player_id=219 |archive-date=November 29, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Shula had just one interception that year.<ref name="Shula PFR stats" />

The Colts waived Shula at the end of training camp in 1957 season, the last player cut as the team reduced its squad to 35 men,<ref name=Linthicum>Jesse A. Linthicum, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun-colts-spirit-stops-ji/160448691/ "Colts' Spirit Stops Jinx: Football Used in Beating Detroit Given to Shula,"] ''Baltimore Sun,'' Sept. 30, 1957, pp. 15,[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun-colts-spirit-stops-ji/160448377/ 18].</ref> and the [[Washington Redskins]] picked him up.<ref name="CNNSI timeline" /><ref name="Shula to Redskins">{{cite news|title=Pittsburgh Gets Wells of 'Skins|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=gfkjAAAAIBAJ&pg=4162,208727&dq=baltimore+colts+shula&hl=en|access-date=November 3, 2013|newspaper=The [[Milwaukee Journal]]|date=October 1, 1957|agency=Associated Press|location=Milwaukee, Wisconsin|page=13}}{{Dead link|date=February 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Shula spent one season with the Redskins before retiring. In his seven NFL seasons, he played in 73 games, intercepted 21 passes and recovered four fumbles.<ref name="Shula PFR stats" />

==Coaching career==
===Early years (1958–1962)===
Shula got his first coaching job shortly after ending his playing career, signing as a defensive backs coach at the [[Virginia Cavaliers football|University of Virginia]] under [[Dick Voris]] in February 1958.<ref name="CNNSI timeline" /><ref name="Shula hired by Virginia">{{cite news|title=Voris Adds 2 More To Virginia Staff|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZolJAAAAIBAJ&pg=5006,2704282&dq=don+shula&hl=en|access-date=November 2, 2013|newspaper=The News and Courier|date=February 9, 1958|agency=Associated Press|location=Charlottesville, Virginia|page=9–A}}{{Dead link|date=February 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name="Shula PFR stats"/> Virginia finished with a 1–9 record that year.<ref name="Virginia results">{{cite web |title=Virginia Yearly Results |url=http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/acc/virginia/1955-1959_yearly_results.php |publisher=College Football Data Warehouse |access-date=November 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110014308/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/acc/virginia/1955-1959_yearly_results.php |archive-date=November 10, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Shula got married in the summer before the season to Dorothy Bartish, who grew up near Painesville. Shula and Bartish had begun dating after he graduated from John Carroll; she was working as a teacher in [[Hawaii]] when he proposed.<ref name="family">{{cite web |url=http://www.cleveland.com/homegrown/index.ssf?/homegrown/more/shula/family.html |title=Don Shula: Family man |work=[[The Plain Dealer#cleveland.com|cleveland.com]] |publisher=[[Advance Internet]] via Northeast Ohio Media Group |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131104101409/http://www.cleveland.com/homegrown/index.ssf?/homegrown/more/shula/family.html |archive-date=November 4, 2013 }}</ref>

After one season at Virginia, Shula moved to another defensive backs coaching job at the [[1959 Kentucky Wildcats football team|University of Kentucky]] in 1959 under head coach [[Blanton Collier]].<ref name="Shula PFR coach"/><ref name="CNNSI timeline" /> Collier had been an assistant to Paul Brown when Shula played in Cleveland.<ref name="pias" />{{rp|17–18}} After one season in Kentucky, Shula got his first NFL coaching job as the defensive backfield coach for the Detroit Lions in 1960.<ref name="CNNSI timeline" /> The Lions posted winning records in each of Shula's three seasons there under head coach [[George Wilson (American football coach)|George Wilson]] and finished in second place in the NFL West in 1961 and 1962.<ref name="1960 Lions stats">{{cite web |title=1960 Detroit Lions Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/det/1960.htm |publisher=Pro Football Reference |access-date=November 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930013225/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/det/1960.htm |archive-date=September 30, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="1961 Lions stats">{{cite web |title=1961 Detroit Lions Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/det/1961.htm |publisher=Pro Football Reference |access-date=November 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131209190315/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/det/1961.htm |archive-date=December 9, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="1962 Lions stats">{{cite web |title=1962 Detroit Lions Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/det/1962.htm |publisher=Pro Football Reference |access-date=November 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015020857/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/det/1962.htm |archive-date=October 15, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Detroit's defense was near the top of the league in fewest points allowed when Shula coached there, including a second-place finish in 1962.<ref name="1962 Lions stats" /> The defense also led the league that year in fewest yards allowed, with 3,217.<ref name="Sam Williams obit">{{cite web |last=Altman |first=Tara |title=Former Lions' defensive end, Sam Williams, dies at 82 |url=http://www.detroitlions.com/news/article-1/Former-Lions-defensive-end-Sam-Williams-dies-at-82/a8720963-773c-4f1d-aad4-bf9b785d7b4d |access-date=November 3, 2013 |newspaper=Detroit Lions News |publisher=Detroit Lions |date=May 1, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104113258/http://www.detroitlions.com/news/article-1/Former-Lions-defensive-end-Sam-Williams-dies-at-82/a8720963-773c-4f1d-aad4-bf9b785d7b4d |archive-date=November 4, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Detroit's defense featured a group of linemen dubbed the "[[Fearsome Foursome (American football)|Fearsome Foursome]]" in 1962, consisting of [[defensive tackle]]s [[Roger Brown (defensive tackle)|Roger Brown]] and [[Alex Karras]] and [[defensive end]]s [[Darris McCord]] and [[Sam Williams (defensive lineman)|Sam Williams]].<ref name="Sam Williams obit" />

===Baltimore Colts (1963–1969)===
[[Weeb Ewbank]], under whom Shula had played in Cleveland and Baltimore, was fired as the Colts' head coach in 1963 following three disappointing seasons and disagreements over team strategy and organization with owner [[Carroll Rosenbloom]].<ref name="Ewbank fired by Colts">{{cite news|title=Baltimore Colt Coach Ewbank Fired, Replaced By Shula|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2245&dat=19630109&id=TsAzAAAAIBAJ&pg=4958,597295|access-date=August 7, 2013|newspaper=[[Lodi News-Sentinel]]|date=January 9, 1963|agency=[[United Press International]]|place=Lodi, California|page=10|archive-date=May 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502030810/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2245&dat=19630109&id=TsAzAAAAIBAJ&pg=4958%2C597295|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Shula joins Colts">{{cite news|title=Shula Emphasizes Spirit|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vUtQAAAAIBAJ&pg=7258,2098361&dq=shula&hl=en|access-date=November 4, 2013|newspaper=The [[Evening Independent]]|place=St. Petersburg, Florida|date=August 14, 1963|agency=Associated Press|page=13-A|archive-date=May 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502030839/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vUtQAAAAIBAJ&pg=7258%2C2098361&dq=shula&hl=en|url-status=live}}</ref> Rosenbloom immediately named Shula as the team's next head coach, having recruited him for the job earlier.<ref name="Ewbank fired by Colts" />

Shula was only 33 years old, making him the youngest coach in league history at the time, but Rosenbloom was familiar with his personality and approach from his playing days in [[Baltimore]].<ref name="Shula joins Colts" /> While Rosenbloom said he realized he was "out on a limb" in hiring Shula, he felt it would bring a sense of team spirit back to the Colts.<ref name="Shula joins Colts" /> While Shula had only been an average player, he was "always... taking pictures, talking football", said Rosenbloom. "He had always wanted to coach".<ref name="Shula joins Colts" />

Shula lost his first regular-season game, a September 15 matchup against the Giants.<ref name="CNNSI timeline" /> The [[1963 Baltimore Colts season|1963 Colts]] won their next game, however, and went on to finish the season with an 8–6 record for third place in the NFL West.<ref name="CNNSI timeline" /><ref name="1963 Colts stats">{{cite web |title=1963 Baltimore Colts Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/clt/1963.htm |publisher=Pro Football Reference |access-date=November 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023042732/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/clt/1963.htm |archive-date=October 23, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The team was still led by Johnny Unitas, who was Shula's teammate during his final year as a player in Baltimore and had helped the Colts win championships in 1958 and 1959.<ref name="Unitas HOF page" /> The team's primary receivers were end [[Raymond Berry]] and [[tight end]] [[John Mackey (American football)|John Mackey]], while [[defensive end]] [[Gino Marchetti]] anchored the defense.<ref name="1963 Colts stats" />

Shula guided the team to a 12–2 record in his second year as coach.<ref name="pluto">{{cite book|last=Pluto|first=Terry|author-link=Terry Pluto|year=1997|title=Browns Town 1964: Cleveland Browns and the 1964 Championship|publisher=Gray & Company|location=Cleveland|isbn=978-1-886228-72-6}}</ref>{{rp|123}} That put the Colts on top of the NFL West and earned them a spot in the [[1964 NFL Championship Game|NFL championship]] against the Browns, which by then were coached by Collier.<ref name="pluto" />{{rp|121–123}} The Colts were heavily favored to win even by sportswriters in Cleveland, due in large part to their strong receiving corps and Unitas, who had 2,824 passing yards and won the league's [[National Football League Most Valuable Player Award|Most Valuable Player award]].<ref name="pluto" />{{rp|122}}<ref name="Unitas PFR stats">{{cite web |title=Johnny Unitas NFL Football Statistics |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/U/UnitJo00.htm |publisher=Pro Football Reference |access-date=November 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131115031638/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/U/UnitJo00.htm |archive-date=November 15, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Halfback [[Lenny Moore]] also had 19 touchdowns, setting an NFL record.<ref name="pluto" />{{rp|123}} In addition to having the NFL's top-scoring offense, the Colts defense allowed the fewest points in the NFL.<ref name="pluto" />{{rp|124}} Before the championship, Collier said Shula had always thought about coaching even during his playing career, giving him "the experience of a man in the profession for ten years".<ref name="pluto" />{{rp|123}} The Colts, however, lost to the Browns 27–0 in the title game.<ref name="pluto" />{{rp|151}} Despite the loss, Shula won the NFL's [[National Football League Coach of the Year Award|Coach of the Year Award]].<ref name="pluto" />{{rp|123}}

The Colts tied the [[1965 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]] with a 10–3–1 record at the end of the 1965 season, forcing a playoff to determine which of them would play in the [[1965 NFL Championship Game|championship game]].<ref name="1965 NFL stats">{{cite web |title=1965 NFL Standings, Team & Offensive Statistics |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1965/ |publisher=Pro Football Reference |access-date=November 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131115053754/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1965/ |archive-date=November 15, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Colts had lost twice to the Packers during the regular season, and Unitas and backup [[Gary Cuozzo]] were sidelined by injuries as the playoffs approached.<ref name="Packers-Colts 1965 game">{{cite news|title=Packers Vs. Colts Is 'Sudden Death'|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=hWZJAAAAIBAJ&pg=3035,6177074&dq=unitas+matte+colts&hl=en|access-date=November 8, 2013|newspaper=The News and Courier|date=December 26, 1965|agency=Associated Press|location=Charlottesville, Virginia|page=17–C}}{{Dead link|date=February 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Baltimore got out to a 10–0 lead at halftime while using halfback [[Tom Matte]] at quarterback, but the Packers, coached by [[Vince Lombardi]], made a comeback in the second half and tied the score at the end of regulation.<ref name="Colts lose to Packers in 1965">{{cite news|title=Chandler's boot silences Colts in overtime battle|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FTVgAAAAIBAJ&pg=6149,4159540&dq=colts+field+goal+sudden+death&hl=en|access-date=November 8, 2013|newspaper=[[Saskatoon Star-Phoenix]]|date=December 27, 1965|agency=Associated Press|location=Saskatoon, Canada|page=23|archive-date=May 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502030836/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FTVgAAAAIBAJ&pg=6149%2C4159540&dq=colts+field+goal+sudden+death&hl=en|url-status=live}}</ref> The Colts stopped the Packers on their opening drive in the sudden-death overtime, but the ensuing drive ended with a missed field goal by placekicker [[Lou Michaels]].<ref name="Colts lose to Packers in 1965" /> The Packers then drove for a field goal of their own, winning 13–10.<ref name="1965 NFL stats" /><ref name="Colts lose to Packers in 1965" /> Shula said after the game that while his team could not expect to execute its usual strategy without Unitas and Cuozzo, the Colts "don't belong in this league" if they could not beat Green Bay once in three tries.<ref name="Colts lose to Packers in 1965" />

The Colts fell to second place in the NFL West [[1966 Baltimore Colts season|the following season]], the first year a [[Super Bowl]] was played between the NFL champion and the winner of the rival [[American Football League]].<ref name="1966 NFL stats">{{cite web |title=1966 NFL Standings, Team & Offensive Statistics |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1966/ |publisher=Pro Football Reference |access-date=November 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131027112037/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1966/ |archive-date=October 27, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 1967, the Colts again failed to make the playoffs despite a regular-season record of 11–1–2, losing the newly created Coastal Division on a tiebreaker with the [[Los Angeles Rams]] because the Rams scored more points in the games between the two clubs.<ref name="Rams beat Colts, 1967">{{cite news|title=Rams Swamp Colts, Gain Play-Off, 34–10|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GGwjAAAAIBAJ&pg=6986,4463626&dq=colts+tie+rams+coastal&hl=en|access-date=November 8, 2013|newspaper=The Milwaukee Journal|date=December 18, 1967|page=17}}{{Dead link|date=February 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name="1967 NFL stats">{{cite web |title=1967 NFL Standings, Team & Offensive Statistics |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1967/ |publisher=Pro Football Reference |access-date=November 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131027112212/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1967/ |archive-date=October 27, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="1967 divisional realignment">{{cite news|title=National Football Loop Completes 1967 Slate|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2KofAAAAIBAJ&pg=3413,2954046&dq=coastal+capital+central+century+divisions&hl=en|access-date=November 8, 2013|newspaper=Gadsen Times|date=April 22, 1967|agency=Associated Press|location=New York|page=31|archive-date=May 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502030813/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2KofAAAAIBAJ&pg=3413%2C2954046&dq=coastal+capital+central+century+divisions&hl=en|url-status=live}}</ref> The Colts' only loss was a 34–10 setback to the Rams at the [[Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum]] on the final Sunday of the season.<ref name="1967 Colts stats">{{cite web |title=1967 Baltimore Colts Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/clt/1967.htm |publisher=Pro Football Reference |access-date=November 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019173737/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/clt/1967.htm |archive-date=October 19, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Though the season ended in disappointment, Shula won his second Coach of the Year award, and Unitas was again the league's MVP.<ref name="Unitas injured, returns in 1968">{{cite news|title=Unitas Must Prove Himself To Get Starting Job Back|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=o8ktAAAAIBAJ&pg=4381,3917104&dq=unitas+injured&hl=en|access-date=September 8, 2013|newspaper=Reading Eagle|date=October 22, 1968|agency=Associated Press|location=Baltimore|page=22|archive-date=May 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502030837/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=o8ktAAAAIBAJ&pg=4381%2C3917104&dq=unitas+injured&hl=en|url-status=live}}</ref>

Before the 1968 season began, Unitas injured his elbow and was replaced by backup [[Earl Morrall]].<ref name="Unitas injured, returns in 1968" /> Expectations for Morrall were low, but the veteran quarterback led the Colts to a string of wins at the beginning of the season.<ref name="Unitas in 1968">{{cite news|title=Unitas Watches And Waits|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=DD4sAAAAIBAJ&pg=7289,102457&dq=unitas+injured&hl=en|access-date=November 15, 2013|newspaper=Spartanburg Herald-Journal|date=December 1, 1968|agency=Associated Press|location=Baltimore|page=B–6|archive-date=May 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502030813/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=DD4sAAAAIBAJ&pg=7289%2C102457&dq=unitas+injured&hl=en|url-status=live}}</ref> Shula tried to ease Unitas back into the lineup, but the quarterback's injury flared up numerous times, culminating with a game against Cleveland in which he had just one completion and three interceptions.<ref name="Unitas in 1968" /> That turned out to be the only loss of the season for Baltimore, which finished with a league-leading 13–1 record.<ref name="1968 NFL stats">{{cite web |title=1968 NFL Standings, Team & Offensive Statistics |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1968/ |publisher=Pro Football Reference |access-date=November 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131115045559/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1968/ |archive-date=November 15, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Colts beat the [[1968 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota Vikings]] in the [[1968 NFL playoffs#Conference championships|Western Conference championship game]], and then beat the Browns 34–0 in the [[1968 NFL Championship Game|NFL Championship Game]] the following week.<ref name="1968 NFL stats" /> That set up a matchup with the [[1968 New York Jets season|New York Jets]] in [[Super Bowl III]]. The Jets were coached by Ewbank, and led by quarterback [[Joe Namath]], who guaranteed a victory before the game despite being the underdog. New York won the game 16–7.<ref name="1968 NFL stats" />

Shula spent one more season as the head coach of the Colts, who posted an 8–5–1 record in 1969 and missed the playoffs.<ref>{{cite web |title=via Sports Logos.net About logos 1969 Baltimore Colts Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/clt/1969.htm |website=Pro Football Reference |access-date=November 20, 2020 |archive-date=October 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022220058/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/clt/1969.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> He compiled a 71–23–4 record in seven seasons in Baltimore, but was just 2–3 in the postseason, including upset losses in the [[1964 NFL Championship Game]] and Super Bowl III, where the Colts were heavy favorites.<ref>{{cite web |title=Don Shula |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Don-Shula |website=Britannica |access-date=November 20, 2020 |archive-date=November 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171113185357/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Don-Shula |url-status=live }}</ref>

Shula's 73 victories were the most in Colts history until 2007 when [[Tony Dungy]] surpassed him with his 74th win.

===Miami Dolphins (1970–1995)===
The relationship between Shula and Rosenbloom had soured after Shula's Super Bowl loss in 1969, and when Miami Dolphins owner [[Joe Robbie]] offered the coach a $70,000-a-year contract, the powers of general manager, and a 10% ownership stake in the AFL team after [[1969 NFL season|that season]], he jumped at the opportunity.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Klingman |first1=Mike |title=Shula's fateful loss |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bal-sp.shula01feb01-story.html |access-date=November 18, 2020 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=February 1, 2008 |archive-date=September 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928180722/https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bal-sp.shula01feb01-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Dolphin stock">{{cite news |last1=Wallace |first1=William N. |title=Dolphin Bait of Stock in Club Helped Lure Shula From Colts |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1970/02/20/archives/dolphin-bait-of-stock-in-club-helped-lure-shula-from-colts.html |access-date=November 19, 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=February 20, 1970 |archive-date=May 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502030813/https://www.nytimes.com/1970/02/20/archives/dolphin-bait-of-stock-in-club-helped-lure-shula-from-colts.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Shula timeline Gainesville" /> Rosenbloom cried foul at an NFL meeting in 1970 in Hawaii, alleging that Robbie's hiring of his coach violated the league's prohibition on [[Tampering (sport)|tampering]], or negotiating to hire other teams' employees without seeking permission.<ref name="Rozelle">{{cite news |title=Rozelle Upholds Baltimore Claim |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1970/04/14/archives/rozelle-upholds-baltimore-claim-colts-not-consulted-during.html |access-date=November 19, 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=April 14, 1970 |archive-date=November 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127223502/https://www.nytimes.com/1970/04/14/archives/rozelle-upholds-baltimore-claim-colts-not-consulted-during.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Shula and Robbie hoped that Shula's ownership stake and status as his own general manager would avoid tampering penalties under an exception for an employee leaving a club to "better himself".<ref name="Dolphin stock" /> League commissioner [[Pete Rozelle]] found the Dolphins in violation of the tampering policy because they did not seek permission to negotiate and did not notify the Colts of the hiring before its announcement.<ref name="Rozelle" /> As punishment, Rozelle awarded the Colts Miami's first-round pick in [[1971 NFL draft|1971]].<ref name="Rozelle" />

The Dolphins had been one of the AFL's worst teams in the years leading up to Shula's hiring, which came as the AFL and NFL prepared to [[AFL-NFL merger|merge]] starting in the 1970 season. Between the team's founding in 1966 and the 1969 season, the Dolphins won no more than five games in any season under coach [[George Wilson (American football coach)|George Wilson]].<ref name="1966 Dolphins">{{cite web |title=1966 Miami Dolphins Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/mia/1966.htmhttps://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/mia/1966.htm |website=Pro Football Reference |access-date=November 19, 2020}}</ref><ref name="1967 Dolphins">{{cite web |title=1967 Miami Dolphins Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/mia/1967.htm |website=Pro Football Reference |access-date=November 19, 2020 |archive-date=December 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181202230021/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/mia/1967.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="1968 Dolphins">{{cite web |title=1968 Miami Dolphins Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/mia/1968.htm |website=Pro Football Reference |access-date=November 19, 2020 |archive-date=December 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181202232809/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/mia/1968.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="1969 Dolphins">{{cite web |title=1969 Miami Dolphins Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/mia/1969.htm |website=Pro Football Reference |access-date=November 19, 2020 |archive-date=December 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181202230001/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/mia/1969.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

Shula led Miami to immediate success, delivering a 10–4 win–loss record in the 1970 season and a 10–3–1 record the following year, when the team won the AFC championship but lost [[Super Bowl VI]] to the [[1971 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys]] by a score of 24–3.<ref name="1970 Dolphins">{{cite web |title=1970 Miami Dolphins Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/mia/1970.htm |website=Pro Football Reference |access-date=November 19, 2020 |archive-date=September 24, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100924054547/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/mia/1970.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="1971 Dolphins">{{cite web |title=1971 Miami Dolphins Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/mia/1971.htm |website=Pro Football Reference |access-date=November 19, 2020 |archive-date=July 30, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730082934/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/mia/1971.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The team's stars included several future [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] members: quarterback [[Bob Griese]], fullback [[Larry Csonka]], guard [[Larry Little]], center [[Jim Langer]], linebacker [[Nick Buoniconti]] and wide receiver [[Paul Warfield]], whom Shula acquired from the Browns in 1970 for a first-round draft pick.<ref name="Warfield trade">{{cite news |title=How Paul Warfield overcame his "shock" of leaving Browns |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/talkoffame/nfl/how-paul-warfield-overcame-his-shock-of-leaving-browns-QcsnHibyOkek_5sDfQ1Zkw |access-date=November 19, 2020 |publisher=Sports Illustrated |date=March 18, 2017 |archive-date=November 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127193525/https://www.si.com/nfl/talkoffame/nfl/how-paul-warfield-overcame-his-shock-of-leaving-browns-QcsnHibyOkek_5sDfQ1Zkw |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Warfield clicks">{{cite news |title=Miami Duo Clicks |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/13904981/miami-duo-clicks/ |access-date=November 19, 2020 |agency=Associated Press |publisher=Warren Times-Mirror and Observer |date=November 16, 1971 |archive-date=October 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022144756/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/13904981/miami-duo-clicks/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Shula's Miami teams during his first decade as coach were known for great offensive lines, led by [[Larry Little]], [[Jim Langer]], [[Bob Kuechenberg]] and [[Norm Evans]], strong running games featuring Csonka, [[Jim Kiick]], and [[Mercury Morris]], quarterbacking by Griese and [[Earl Morrall]] and excellent receivers in Warfield, [[Howard Twilley]] and [[Jim Mandich]].<ref name="Langer obit">{{cite news |last1=Habib |first1=Hal |title=Miami Dolphins: How the late Jim Langer rose from nowhere to surprise Don Shula |url=https://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/20190830/miami-dolphins-how-late-jim-langer-rose-from-nowhere-to-surprise-don-shula |access-date=November 20, 2020 |publisher=The Palm Beach Post |date=August 30, 2019 |archive-date=November 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130012552/https://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/20190830/miami-dolphins-how-late-jim-langer-rose-from-nowhere-to-surprise-don-shula |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Kiick obit">{{cite news |last1=Poupart |first1=Alain |title=A tribute to former Dolphins running back Jim Kiick |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/dolphins/news/remembering-former-miami-dolphins-running-back-jim-kiick |access-date=November 20, 2020 |publisher=Sports Illustrated |date=June 21, 2020 |archive-date=June 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200622173148/https://www.si.com/nfl/dolphins/news/remembering-former-miami-dolphins-running-back-jim-kiick |url-status=live }}</ref> The Dolphins' defense was known as "The No-Name Defense", though it had a number of outstanding players, including defensive tackle [[Manny Fernandez (American football)|Manny Fernandez]], linebacker [[Nick Buoniconti]], and [[safety (gridiron football position)|safeties]] [[Dick Anderson]] and [[Jake Scott]].<ref name="CBS Miami obit">{{cite news |title=Don Shula's 1972 Dolphins Remain Undefeated |url=https://miami.cbslocal.com/2020/05/04/don-shula-1972-dolphins-undefeated-record/ |access-date=November 20, 2020 |publisher=CBS Miami |date=May 4, 2020 |archive-date=November 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130150804/https://miami.cbslocal.com/2020/05/04/don-shula-1972-dolphins-undefeated-record/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In [[1972 Miami Dolphins season|1972]], Shula led Miami to the NFL's first and only perfect season, ending with a 17–0 record and a 14–7 victory in [[Super Bowl VII]] over the [[1972 Washington Redskins season|Washington Redskins]].<ref name="HOF perfect season">{{cite web |title=Miami's Perfect Season |url=https://www.profootballhof.com/football-history/miamis-perfect-season/ |website=Pro Football Hall of Fame |access-date=November 19, 2020 |archive-date=May 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502030852/https://www.profootballhof.com/football-history/miamis-perfect-season/ |url-status=live }}</ref> No other team has since equaled that feat; the [[2007 New England Patriots season|2007 Patriots]] went undefeated until losing to the [[2007 New York Giants season|New York Giants]] in the [[Super Bowl XLII|Super Bowl]].<ref name="HOF perfect season" /> Shula strung together the wins despite the loss of his quarterback, Griese, due to injury in the fifth game of the season. He was replaced by 38-year-old [[Earl Morrall]], who had been the backup to Unitas during Shula's years in Baltimore.<ref name="HOF perfect season" /> Griese was able to return for the playoffs, leading the team in the Super Bowl win.<ref name="HOF perfect season" /> That season, Shula would also be the first American professional football coach to reach 100 wins in his first decade as a head coach.<ref>100 Things Dolphins Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die, Armando Salguero, Triumph Books, Chicago, 2020, ISBN 978-1-62937-722-3, p.3</ref>

Shula's [[1973 Miami Dolphins season|1973 team]] lost its second game of the season to the [[1973 Oakland Raiders season|Oakland Raiders]], ending an overall winning streak that stretched to 18 games.<ref name="Raiders end streak">{{cite news |last1=Corkran |first1=Steve |title=38 years ago, Oakland Raiders stopped an 18-game winning streak |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2011/12/10/38-years-ago-oakland-raiders-stopped-an-18-game-winning-streak/ |access-date=November 20, 2020 |agency=Bay Area News Group |publisher=The Mercury News |date=December 10, 2011 |archive-date=November 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128072254/https://www.mercurynews.com/2011/12/10/38-years-ago-oakland-raiders-stopped-an-18-game-winning-streak/ |url-status=live }}</ref> That run is tied for the third-longest in league history.<ref name="HOF streaks">{{cite web |title=Longest NFL Winning Streaks |url=https://www.profootballhof.com/news/longest-nfl-winning-streaks/ |website=Pro Football Hall of Fame |access-date=November 20, 2020 |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112034627/https://www.profootballhof.com/news/longest-nfl-winning-streaks/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The team finished with a 12–2 regular-season record and went on to win a second [[Super Bowl VIII|Super Bowl]] in a row, defeating the [[1973 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota Vikings]] 24–7.<ref name="1973 Dolphins">{{cite web |title=1973 Miami Dolphins Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/mia/1973.htm |website=Pro Football Reference |access-date=November 20, 2020 |archive-date=June 25, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170625132930/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/mia/1973.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="1979 Dolphins">{{cite web |title=1979 Miami Dolphins Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/mia/1979.htm |website=Pro Football Reference |access-date=November 20, 2020 |archive-date=October 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181022174740/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/mia/1979.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

The 1974 Dolphins had a chance to win a third title in a row, but they fell to the [[1974 Oakland Raiders season|Oakland Raiders]] 28–26 in an AFC divisional playoff game.<ref name="Sea of Hands">{{cite news |last1=Wallace |first1=William N. |title=Dolphins' Reign Ends on Late Catch, 28–26 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1974/12/22/archives/dolphins-reign-ends-on-late-catch-2826-raiders-win-2826-end.html |access-date=November 20, 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=December 22, 1974 |archive-date=May 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502030816/https://www.nytimes.com/1974/12/22/archives/dolphins-reign-ends-on-late-catch-2826-raiders-win-2826-end.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="1974 Dolphins">{{cite web |title=1974 Miami Dolphins Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/mia/1974.htm |website=Pro Football Reference |access-date=November 20, 2020 |archive-date=December 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181203020242/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/mia/1974.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> With 35 seconds remaining in the game, Oakland quarterback [[Ken Stabler]] was in the process of being sacked by Dolphins defensive end [[Vern Den Herder]] when, just before he was tackled, he completed a desperation forward pass to his running back [[Clarence Davis]] in the game's final moments — since dubbed [[The Sea of Hands]] play.<ref name="Sea of Hands" /> The Dolphins team was decimated the following season by the creation of the now-defunct [[World Football League]] and their inability to match contract offers from the rival league to three of its star players: Csonka, Warfield and [[Jim Kiick]]. All three left to join the [[Memphis Southmen]] for the 1975 season.<ref name="WFL">{{cite news |last1=Anderson |first1=Dave |title=Csonka, Warfiedd and Kiick to Go to W. F. L. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1974/04/01/archives/csonka-warfield-and-kiick-to-go-to-wfl-3year-pacts-for-3million.html |access-date=November 20, 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=April 1, 1974 |archive-date=May 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502030815/https://www.nytimes.com/1974/04/01/archives/csonka-warfield-and-kiick-to-go-to-wfl-3year-pacts-for-3million.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Shula led the team to more winning seasons through the 1970s and into the 1980s, only posting a losing record once, in 1976 when the team finished 6–8.<ref name="Shula records">{{cite web |title=Don Shula |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/ShulDo0.htm |website=Pro Football Reference |access-date=November 20, 2020 |archive-date=March 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321111228/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/ShulDo0.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The team advanced to the playoffs in [[1978 Miami Dolphins season|1978]], [[1979 Miami Dolphins season|1979]] and [[1981 Miami Dolphins season|1981]], but lost in the first round each time.<ref name="1978 Dolphins">{{cite web |title=1978 Miami Dolphins Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/mia/1978.htm |website=Pro Football Reference |access-date=November 20, 2020 |archive-date=December 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181202222107/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/mia/1978.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="1981 Dolphins">{{cite web |title=1981 Miami Dolphins Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/mia/1981.htm |website=Pro Football Reference |access-date=November 20, 2020 |archive-date=October 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027141645/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/mia/1981.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The playoff loss in the 1981 season against the [[1981 San Diego Chargers season|San Diego Chargers]] was a hard-fought back-and-forth battle that many sportswriters, players and coaches consider one of the greatest games ever played. Shula called it "maybe the greatest ever".<ref name="Epic in Miami article">{{cite news |title=Remembering Don Shula: Reliving epic 1982 playoff game between Chargers, Dolphins |url=https://chargerswire.usatoday.com/2020/05/05/don-shula-chargers-dolphins-epic-in-miami/ |access-date=November 20, 2020 |agency=USA Today |date=May 5, 2020 |archive-date=November 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115173724/https://chargerswire.usatoday.com/2020/05/05/don-shula-chargers-dolphins-epic-in-miami/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Chargers won the so-called [[Epic in Miami]] 41–38 with a field goal in double-overtime.<ref name="SI Epic in Miami">{{cite news |title=Playoff greats: What Winslow can't forget about "Epic in Miami" |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/talkoffame/nfl/playoff-greats-what-winslow-can-t-forget-about-epic-in-miami-1RydLIUyaU2_iUbu1dTwFQ |access-date=November 20, 2020 |publisher=Sports Illustrated |date=January 2, 2017}}</ref>

In 1982, Shula's team advanced through the playoffs to the [[Super Bowl XVII|Super Bowl]] during the strike-shortened season, but lost the championship to the [[1982 Washington Redskins season|Washington Redskins]].<ref name="1982 Dolphins">{{cite web |title=1982 Miami Dolphins Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/mia/1982.htm |website=Pro Football Reference |access-date=November 20, 2020 |archive-date=November 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181104234022/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/mia/1982.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The offense was led by [[David Woodley]] and [[Don Strock]], who shared duties at quarterback following Griese's retirement after the 1980 season, and fullback [[Andra Franklin]], who was second in the NFL in rushing.<ref name="1982 Rushing">{{cite web |title=1982 NFL Rushing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1982/rushing.htm |website=Pro Football Reference |access-date=November 20, 2020 |archive-date=November 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128025231/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1982/rushing.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Woodley obit">{{cite news |last1=Barnes |first1=Craig |title=Ex-QB Woodley Dies |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-2003-05-07-0305070131-story.html |access-date=November 20, 2020 |publisher=South Florida Sun-Sentinel |date=May 7, 2003 |archive-date=May 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502030816/https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache%3A7kyqB8xKsy0J%3Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.sun-sentinel.com%2Fnews%2Ffl-xpm-2003-05-07-0305070131-story.html+&cd=4&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us |url-status=live }}</ref> The defense, one of the best in the league, was nicknamed the "Killer Bees" because six starters' last names began with "B", including defensive tackle [[Bob Baumhower]], linebacker [[Bob Brudzinski]] and safeties [[Lyle Blackwood]] and his brother [[Glenn Blackwood]].<ref name="SI Killer Bees">{{cite news |last1=Papanek |first1=John |title=The Revenge of the Killer Bees |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1983/01/24/the-revenge-of-the-killer-bees |access-date=November 20, 2020 |publisher=Sports Illustrated |date=January 24, 1983 |archive-date=November 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128115253/https://vault.si.com/vault/1983/01/24/the-revenge-of-the-killer-bees |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[1983 Miami Dolphins season|1983 season]] marked the beginning of a new era in Miami with the selection of quarterback [[Dan Marino]] out of the [[1982 Pittsburgh Panthers football team|University of Pittsburgh]] in the first round of the [[1983 NFL draft|NFL draft]].<ref name="Marino on Shula">{{cite news |title=Marino's First Meeting with Shula and the 1983 Draft |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/dolphins/news/marino-recalls-first-meeting-with-don-shula |access-date=November 20, 2020 |publisher=Sports Illustrated |date=May 5, 2020 |archive-date=November 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127183210/https://www.si.com/nfl/dolphins/news/marino-recalls-first-meeting-with-don-shula |url-status=live }}</ref> Marino won the starting job halfway through the [[1983 NFL season|1983 regular season]], and by [[1984 Miami Dolphins season|1984]], the Dolphins were back in the [[Super Bowl XIX|Super Bowl]], due largely to Marino's record 5,084 yards through the air and 48 touchdown passes.<ref name="1984 Dolphins">{{cite web |title=1984 Miami Dolphins Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/mia/1984.htm |website=Pro Football Reference |access-date=November 20, 2020 |archive-date=October 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181023153152/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/mia/1984.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Marino Shula HOF">{{cite web |last1=Kendle |first1=Jon |title=Dan Marino and Don Shula Started Their Dolphins Journey Together 35 years Ago |url=https://www.profootballhof.com/blogs/stories-from-the-pro-football-hall-of-fame-archives/dan-marino-and-don-shula-started-their-dolphins-journey-together-35-years-ago/ |website=Pro Football Hall of Fame |access-date=November 20, 2020 |archive-date=January 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117132135/https://www.profootballhof.com/blogs/stories-from-the-pro-football-hall-of-fame-archives/dan-marino-and-don-shula-started-their-dolphins-journey-together-35-years-ago/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Dolphins, however, lost the game to the [[1984 San Francisco 49ers season|San Francisco 49ers]], then led by quarterback [[Joe Montana]].<ref name="1984 49ers">{{cite web |title=1984 San Francisco 49ers Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1984.htm |website=Pro Football Reference |access-date=November 20, 2020 |archive-date=November 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124091804/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1984.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

Over the years, Shula's relationship with Robbie chilled considerably, in part due to Robbie's unwillingness to spend money on higher-profile players, which led to contract holdouts by Marino and linebacker [[John Offerdahl]].<ref name="Robbie Shula">{{cite news |last1=Bricker |first1=Charles |title=With Robbie It Was, At Best, Strictly Business |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1993-11-15-9311140361-story.html |access-date=November 20, 2020 |publisher=South Florida Sun Sentinel |date=November 15, 1993 |archive-date=November 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128031257/https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache%3ApcgftAYEXagJ%3Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.sun-sentinel.com%2Fnews%2Ffl-xpm-1993-11-15-9311140361-story.html+&cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us |url-status=live }}</ref> Shula's power over the Dolphins as general manager and part-owner of the team also led to conflict that at times burst into public view. When Shula arrived late to a banquet celebrating Miami's 1974 Super Bowl win, Robbie ordered Shula to "get the hell into the room," to which Shula replied that he'd "knock you on your ass" if Robbie shouted at him again.<ref name="Robbie Shula" />

One of the few times Shula came close to leaving Miami was during the 1983 season, when [[Donald Trump]], the owner of the [[New Jersey Generals]] in the upstart [[United States Football League]], offered Shula a $1 million-a-year contract–a significant increase from the $450,000 Shula was earning at the time with the Dolphins.<ref name="Shula Miami pact">{{cite news |title=Shula Signs New Miami Pact |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/11/29/sports/shula-signs-new-miami-pact.html |access-date=November 20, 2020 |agency=Associated Press |work=The New York Times |date=November 29, 1983 |archive-date=November 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128020237/https://www.nytimes.com/1983/11/29/sports/shula-signs-new-miami-pact.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Trump said the negotiations were derailed when Shula insisted on obtaining a rent-free apartment at [[Trump Tower]].<ref name="Shula talks">{{cite news |title=Shula Talks Break Off |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/10/25/sports/shula-talks-break-off.html |access-date=November 20, 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=October 25, 1983 |archive-date=November 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128034226/https://www.nytimes.com/1983/10/25/sports/shula-talks-break-off.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Shula broke off the negotiations and called the courtship "a huge distraction", deciding to stay in Miami.<ref name="Shula talks" /> Years later, Larry Csonka, by then an executive with the [[Jacksonville Bulls]], said that he believed Shula would have taken the job with Trump's team, but he was angered at being "thrown out to the press" by Trump.<ref name=Buck>{{cite book|title=Football For A Buck: The Crazy Rise and Crazier Demise of the USFL|last=Pearlman|first=Jeff|author-link=Jeff Pearlman|publisher=[[Houghton Mifflin Harcourt]]|date=2018|isbn=978-0544454385}}</ref>

After the 1984 season, Shula's teams posted only one losing record, but they never again advanced to the Super Bowl.<ref name="Shula records" /> The Dolphins reached the playoffs in 1985, 1990, 1992, 1994, and 1995, Shula's final season.<ref name="Shula records" /> On October 2, 1994, Don Shula's Miami Dolphins defeated son David Shula's Cincinnati Bengals by a score of 23–7. Dubbed the “Shula Bowl”, it marked the first time in NFL history that a head coaching matchup featured father against son.<ref>100 Things Dolphins Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die, Armando Salguero, Triumph Books, Chicago, 2020, ISBN 978-1-62937-722-3, p.157</ref> Shula's retirement in 1996 was tinged by speculation that he was forced out by [[Wayne Huizenga]], a businessman who took full ownership of the team in 1994 from the Robbie family, who inherited it after Robbie's death in 1990.<ref name="Shula retirement">{{cite news |last1=George |first1=Dave |title=Don Shula "at peace" with retirement from NFL, but fire remains |url=https://www.palmbeachpost.com/article/19960106/SPORTS/812039984 |access-date=November 20, 2020 |publisher=The Palm Beach Post |date=January 6, 1996 |archive-date=November 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128074302/https://www.palmbeachpost.com/article/19960106/SPORTS/812039984 |url-status=live }}</ref> Shula said he was "at peace with myself" in making the decision to step away from the game at 66 years old.<ref name="Shula retirement" /> He finished his coaching career with a 328–156–6 regular-season record, giving him the all-time lead in wins for an NFL head coach.<ref name="Coaching records">{{cite web |title=Coaches, Records, and Coaching Totals |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/ |website=Pro Football Reference |access-date=November 20, 2020 |archive-date=April 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416214904/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Shula changed his coaching strategy as his personnel changed.<ref name="Shula Schwab">{{cite news |last1=Schwab |first1=Frank |title=The secret to Don Shula's success? He evolved and reinvented his coaching style to fit his players |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/the-secret-to-don-shulas-success-he-evolved-and-reinvented-his-coaching-style-to-fit-his-players/ar-BB13A9dO |access-date=November 20, 2020 |publisher=Yahoo! Sports |date=May 4, 2020 |archive-date=May 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502030853/https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/the-secret-to-don-shulas-success-he-evolved-and-reinvented-his-coaching-style-to-fit-his-players/ar-BB13A9dO |url-status=live }}</ref> His Super Bowl teams in [[1971 Miami Dolphins season|1971]], [[1972 Miami Dolphins season|1972]], [[1973 Miami Dolphins season|1973]], and [[1982 Miami Dolphins season|1982]] were keyed by a run-first offensive strategy and a dominating defense.<ref name="Shula Schwab" /> In the years when Marino was quarterback, the team leaned on its offense, and particularly its passing attack, to win games.<ref name="Shula Schwab" /> "I've been accused of being a conservative, 'grind'em-out' kind of coach, because that was the style of my teams in 1972–73, but I point out that when I was at Baltimore, and Johnny Unitas was my quarterback, we used to have a wide-open, explosive passing attack," Shula said in 1985. "And when I came down to Miami, I didn't try to jam the Unitas style down the throat of Bob Griese, who was a different kind of quarterback, nor did I try to force the Griese style on Marino when he came along."<ref name="Shula Times Mag">{{cite news |last1=Nordheimer |first1=Jon |title=The Enduring Obsession: Don Shula's Need To Win |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/09/01/magazine/the-enduring-obsession-don-shula-s-need-to-win.html |access-date=November 20, 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=September 1, 1985 |archive-date=November 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128083155/https://www.nytimes.com/1985/09/01/magazine/the-enduring-obsession-don-shula-s-need-to-win.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Later life and death==
[[File:Don-Shula USO-Tour-USS-Reagan-Address July-13-2009 (cropped).jpg|thumb|Shula in 2009]]
Shula entered the branding business in 1989, lending his name to a [[steakhouse]] owned by the wealthy Graham family, who became friends with Shula and his family after the Shulas moved to the Graham-developed suburb of [[Miami Lakes, Florida|Miami Lakes]].<ref name="Herald steakhouses">{{cite news |last1=Morrisey |first1=Siobhan |title=The winning touch: Shula's Steak House marks 25 years in business |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/biz-monday/article5408922.html |access-date=November 20, 2020 |publisher=The Miami Herald |date=January 4, 2015 |archive-date=December 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203070624/https://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/biz-monday/article5408922.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Dozens of Shula-branded restaurants opened in the ensuing years, primarily in Florida, including steakhouses, burger restaurants and bars.<ref name="Herald steakhouses" /><ref name="Shula's restaurant site">{{cite web |title=Shula's Restaurant Group |url=https://shulas.com/ |access-date=November 20, 2020 |archive-date=May 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200512165247/https://shulas.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Shula also put his name on other Graham-owned properties in 1991, including the family's hotel in Miami Lakes where his first steakhouse was located. It was renamed Don Shula's Hotel & Golf Club in exchange for an equity stake in the family's hospitality division.<ref name="Shula hotel">{{cite news |last1=Conrad |first1=Eric |title=Shula, Grahams Team Up |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1994-01-17-9401140235-story.html |access-date=November 20, 2020 |publisher=South Florida Sun-Sentinel |date=January 17, 1994 |archive-date=November 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128151341/https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache%3ATiICto9n3HAJ%3Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.sun-sentinel.com%2Fnews%2Ffl-xpm-1994-01-17-9401140235-story.html+&cd=9&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us |url-status=live }}</ref> He remained active in the branding business during his retirement, and the company bearing his name expanded, although his son [[Dave Shula|Dave]] assumed management of the firm during his later years.<ref name="Herald steakhouses" /><ref name="Shula endorsements">{{cite news |last1=Davis |first1=Craig |title=Shula still a leader in endorsement game |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/fl-xpm-2012-11-02-fl-don-shula-endorsements-1104-20121102-story.html |access-date=November 20, 2020 |publisher=South Florida Sun-Sentinel |date=November 2, 2012 |archive-date=May 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502030851/https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache%3A_nkKBfD0SEQJ%3Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.sun-sentinel.com%2Fsports%2Ffl-xpm-2012-11-02-fl-don-shula-endorsements-1104-20121102-story.html+&cd=18&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us |url-status=live }}</ref>

Shula also became a frequent product promoter in his later years, working for Miami-based auto dealership Warren Henry, HearUSA hearing aids, [[NutriSystem]] diet plans, [[Humana]] health insurance and [[Budweiser]] beer, among others.<ref name="Shula endorsements" /> In 2007, he joined his wife Mary Ann in promoting NutriSystem diets geared for people age 60 and older.<ref>{{cite news|title=NFL's Shula named NutriSystem spokesman|date=January 22, 2007|url=https://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/newstex/AFX-0013-13776547.htm|work=CNNMoney}}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Retrieved February 6, 2007</ref> "If it's something I feel fits into my personality, what I feel is important and what I actually do, then I'll do it. It's all things that I enjoy doing and take a lot of pride in representing," he said in 2012.<ref name="Shula endorsements" /> As part of a government public awareness campaign, Shula was the first American to enroll in the [[Medicare Part D]] prescription drug plan, just after midnight on November 15, 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/305635/humana_signs_its_first_medicare_part_d_prescription_drug_plan/|title=Humana Signs Its First Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan Beneficiary|access-date=February 18, 2012|archive-date=November 25, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051125141913/http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/305635/humana_signs_its_first_medicare_part_d_prescription_drug_plan/|url-status=live}}</ref>

After Shula's retirement, he was named the Dolphins' vice-chairman.<ref name="Shula timeline Gainesville" /> He maintained other connections to football in retirement, often appearing in ceremonial roles. In 2003, at [[Super Bowl XXXVII]] in San Diego, he performed the [[coin flipping|ceremonial coin toss]] to end the pregame ceremonies.<ref name="Coin toss">{{cite web |title=Hall of Famer Don Shula makes the pre-game coin toss |url=https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/miami-dolphins-hall-of-famer-don-shula-makes-the-pre-game-news-photo/1759705 |website=Getty Images |date=February 4, 2003 |access-date=November 20, 2020 |archive-date=November 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128220451/https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/miami-dolphins-hall-of-famer-don-shula-makes-the-pre-game-news-photo/1759705 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2007, at [[Super Bowl XLI]] in [[Miami Gardens]], Shula took part in the [[Vince Lombardi Trophy]] presentation.<ref>{{cite news|title=Marino, Shula to be honored at Super Bowl XLI |date=December 14, 2006 |url=http://www.superbowl.com/news/story/9870848 |publisher=NFL |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061216064901/http://www.superbowl.com/news/story/9870848 |archive-date=December 16, 2006 }} Retrieved February 6, 2007</ref> On February 3, 2008, he attended [[Super Bowl XLII]] in [[Glendale, Arizona]], in which the Patriots could have matched his Dolphins team's perfect season, but lost.<ref name="Kragthorpe">{{cite news |last1=Kragthorpe |first1=Kurt |title=Kragthorpe: And with that, the Dolphins' feat is forever untouchable |url=https://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=8162068&itype=NGPSID&source=rss |access-date=November 20, 2020 |publisher=The Salt Lake Tribune |date=February 4, 2008 |archive-date=November 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128165535/https://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=8162068&itype=NGPSID&source=rss |url-status=live }}</ref>

Shula was also an avid golfer after his coaching career and had a home near the Indian Creek Country Club in the wealthy enclave of [[Indian Creek, Florida]] as well as a [[Condominium (living space)|condominium]] overlooking the [[Pebble Beach Golf Links|Links at Pebble Bay]] in [[Pebble Beach, California]].<ref name="Shula golf obit">{{cite news |last1=Strege |first1=John |title=Don Shula was a Hall of Fame coach and an avid golfer who had a Florida golf course named after him |url=https://www.golfdigest.com/story/don-shula-was-a-hall-of-fame-coach-and-an-avid-golfer-who-had-a-florida-golf-course-named-after-him |access-date=November 20, 2020 |publisher=Golfworld |date=May 4, 2020 |archive-date=November 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127151726/https://www.golfdigest.com/story/don-shula-was-a-hall-of-fame-coach-and-an-avid-golfer-who-had-a-florida-golf-course-named-after-him |url-status=live }}</ref> On March 25, 2007, Shula presented the Winners Cup to [[Tiger Woods]], winner of the 2007 WGC-CA Golf Tournament held at the [[Doral Golf Resort & Spa|Doral Resort]] in Miami.<ref name="Shula golf obit" />

Shula was involved in a number of activities outside of sports. In 2011, he received the [[Ellis Island Medal of Honor]] in recognition of his humanitarian efforts.<ref name="Ellis Island">{{cite press release |title=Shirley Wang to Receive Ellis Island Medal of Honor |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/shirley-wang-to-receive-ellis-island-medal-of-honor-121377579.html |website=PR Newswire |access-date=November 20, 2020 |archive-date=November 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129041455/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/shirley-wang-to-receive-ellis-island-medal-of-honor-121377579.html |url-status=live }}</ref> And at [[John Carroll University]], he endowed the Don Shula Chair in Philosophy, which supports the Philosophy Department by presenting programs of interest to philosophers and the general public.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sites.jcu.edu/philosophy/pages/the-don-shula-chair-in-philosophy/ |title=The Don Shula Chair in Philosophy |publisher=[[John Carroll University]] College of Arts and Sciences |access-date=June 5, 2014 |archive-date=December 31, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141231204900/http://sites.jcu.edu/philosophy/pages/the-don-shula-chair-in-philosophy/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Shula suffered from [[sleep apnea]] and heart issues toward the end of his life, and had a [[pacemaker]] implanted in 2016.<ref name="Pacemaker">{{cite news |last1=Habib |first1=Hal |title=Don Shula, honored with mural, 'doing well' health-wise with pacemaker |url=https://apnews.com/article/5b3274d4c7f24d168aeecc9ea2cf5cad |access-date=November 20, 2020 |work=Associated Press |date=September 22, 2016 |archive-date=November 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128162207/https://apnews.com/article/5b3274d4c7f24d168aeecc9ea2cf5cad |url-status=live }}</ref> Shula died on May 4, 2020, at the age of 90 at his home in Indian Creek.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 4, 2020 |title=Dolphins Hall of Fame coach Don Shula dies at 90 |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29132028/dolphins-hall-fame-coach-don-shula-dies-90 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200504181353/https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29132028/dolphins-hall-fame-coach-don-shula-dies-90 |archive-date=May 4, 2020 |access-date=May 4, 2020 |work=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Belson |first1=Ken |title=Don Shula, N.F.L. Coach Who Won, and Won, and Won, Dies at 90 |work=The New York Times |date=May 4, 2020 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/04/sports/football/don-shula-dead.html |access-date=May 9, 2020 |archive-date=June 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200618023056/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/04/sports/football/don-shula-dead.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Personal life==
[[File:Don Shula & Mary Anne Shula at 2014 MIFF.jpg|thumb|Don and Mary Anne Shula at the 2014 [[Miami International Film Festival]]]]
Shula married Painesville, Ohio native Dorothy Bartish, with whom he was in a relationship since high school, on July 19, 1958, after his playing career ended.<ref name="Shula timeline">{{cite news |last1=Habib |first1=Hal |title=Timeline of Dolphins coach Don Shula through the years |url=https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/sports/nfl/2020/05/04/timeline-of-dolphins-coach-don-shula-through-years/112278896/ |access-date=November 20, 2020 |publisher=The Palm Beach Post |date=May 4, 2020 |archive-date=October 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026122247/https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/sports/nfl/2020/05/04/timeline-of-dolphins-coach-don-shula-through-years/112278896/ |url-status=live }}</ref> They had five children: [[Dave Shula|Dave]] (b. May 28, 1959), Donna (b. April 28, 1961), Sharon (b. June 30, 1962), Anne (b. May 7, 1964), and [[Mike Shula|Mike]] (b. June 3, 1965). Dorothy died of [[breast cancer]] on February 25, 1991, aged 57.<ref name="CNNSI timeline" /> That same year, the Don Shula Foundation for Breast Cancer Research was founded.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://miamidolphins.com/newsite/history/dolphinshonors/dolphinshonors_shula_d.asp |title=HISTORY: Dolphins Honors – Don Shula |publisher=[[Miami Dolphins]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410051135/http://miamidolphins.com/newsite/history/dolphinshonors/dolphinshonors_shula_d.asp |archive-date=April 10, 2009}}</ref>

He married his second wife, Mary Anne Stephens, on October 15, 1993.<ref name="Shula timeline" /> They resided in the Indian Creek home Mary Anne had received in her divorce settlement from her third husband, investment banker [[Jackson T. Stephens]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Friedman |first=Mark |url=http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article/36994/shula-stephens-battle-over-1-million-in-annual-alimony |title=Shula, Stephens Battle Over $1 Million in Annual Alimony |work=Arkansas Business News |location=Little Rock, Arkansas |publisher=[[Arkansas Business Publishing Group]] |date=May 10, 2010 |access-date=October 3, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131013135503/http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article/36994/shula-stephens-battle-over-1-million-in-annual-alimony |archive-date=October 13, 2013}}</ref> The couple split their time between Indian Creek and a home in [[San Francisco]] where they stayed during Florida's hurricane season.<ref name="Pacemaker" />

Shula was a devout [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] throughout his life. He said in 1974, at the peak of his coaching career, that he attended [[Mass in the Catholic Church|Mass]] every morning.<ref name="People magazine article">{{cite magazine|last=Scott|first=Ronald B.|title=Coach Don Shula, the Would-Be Priest Who Makes Miami Mean|magazine=People|date=December 2, 1974|volume=2|issue=23|url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20064721,00.html|access-date=November 2, 2013|archive-date=November 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103213529/http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20064721,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Shula once considered becoming a [[Priesthood in the Catholic Church|Catholic priest]], but decided he could not commit to being both priest and coach.<ref name="People magazine article" />

==Legacy==
[[File:Don Shula Statue.jpg|thumb|A statue of Shula outside of [[Hard Rock Stadium]]]]
[[File:1997 Don Shula.jpg|thumb|right|Shula's bronze bust at the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]]]]
Shula set numerous records in his 33 seasons as a head coach. He is the all-time leader in victories with 347 when including the postseason.<ref name="Shula HOF records">{{cite web |title=Don Shula's Record Victory |url=https://www.profootballhof.com/news/don-shula-s-record-victory/#:~:text=After%2033%20seasons%20as%20a,173%20losses%20and%206%20ties. |website=Pro Football Hall of Fame |access-date=November 20, 2020 |archive-date=July 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170714144324/http://www.profootballhof.com/news/don-shula-s-record-victory/#:~:text=After%2033%20seasons%20as%20a,173%20losses%20and%206%20ties. |url-status=live }}</ref> He is first in most games coached, with 526, most consecutive seasons coached, with 33, and Super Bowl losses with four, tied with [[Bud Grant]], [[Dan Reeves]], and [[Marv Levy]].<ref name="SN Shula records">{{cite news |last1=Al-Khateeb |first1=Zac |title=Don Shula by the numbers: Breaking down a Hall of Fame coaching career |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/don-shula-numbers-hall-of-fame-coaching-career/15rzlqac89n5b1dnqng7bi9966#:~:text=33%20years%20coached&text=Because%20of%20the%20eras%20in,and%2036%20in%20the%20postseason). |access-date=November 20, 2020 |publisher=Sporting News |date=May 4, 2020 |archive-date=November 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128172153/https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/don-shula-numbers-hall-of-fame-coaching-career/15rzlqac89n5b1dnqng7bi9966#:~:text=33%20years%20coached&text=Because%20of%20the%20eras%20in,and%2036%20in%20the%20postseason). |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Shula Cox">{{cite news |last1=D'Angelo |first1=Bob |title=Don Shula: At 90, NFL's winningest coach still casts a long shadow |url=https://www.kiro7.com/news/trending/don-shula-90-nfls-winningest-coach-still-casts-long-shadow/XO3NZWOTLFG7NB2H2KQMN6DA4Y/#:~:text=While%20Shula%20won%20Super%20Bowls,Marv%20Levy%20and%20Dan%20Reeves.&text=Shula%20missed%20the%201967%20NFL,against%20the%20Los%20Angeles%20Rams. |access-date=November 20, 2020 |publisher=Cox Media Group |date=January 3, 2020}}</ref> His teams won 15 division titles, six conference title wins, two NFL championships and six Super Bowl appearances.<ref name="CBS stats">{{cite news |last1=Dubin |first1=Jared |title=Don Shula by the numbers: Standout stats, how he compares to coaching greats from wins to Super Bowls and more |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/don-shula-by-the-numbers-standout-stats-how-he-compares-to-coaching-greats-from-wins-to-super-bowls-and-more/ |access-date=November 20, 2020 |work=CBS Sports |date=May 4, 2020 |archive-date=May 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200514105910/https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/don-shula-by-the-numbers-standout-stats-how-he-compares-to-coaching-greats-from-wins-to-super-bowls-and-more/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Shula's teams were consistently among the least penalized in the NFL.<ref name="SI Shula">{{cite news |last1=Poupart |first1=Alain |title=Paying Tribute to Don Shula |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/dolphins/news/remembering-legendary-dolphins-coach-don-shula#:~:text=There%20was%20a%20reason%20the,wouldn't%20tolerate%20anything%20else. |access-date=November 20, 2020 |publisher=Sports Illustrated |date=May 4, 2020 |archive-date=May 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200525192036/https://www.si.com/nfl/dolphins/news/remembering-legendary-dolphins-coach-don-shula#:~:text=There%20was%20a%20reason%20the,wouldn't%20tolerate%20anything%20else. |url-status=live }}</ref>

Shula was known as a tough and practical coach who worked players hard and put an emphasis on discipline, which helped reduce errors in games.<ref name="NYT Shula tough">{{cite news |title=Shula: Tough, Practical And a Low-Key Coach |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1973/01/14/archives/shula-tough-practical-and-a-lowkey-coach-one-game-short.html |access-date=November 20, 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=January 14, 1973 |archive-date=February 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207153539/http://www.nytimes.com/1973/01/14/archives/shula-tough-practical-and-a-lowkey-coach-one-game-short.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Hillyer">{{cite news |last1=Hillyer |first1=Quin |title=Don Shula epitomized the NFL's old virtues |url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/don-shula-epitomized-the-nfls-old-virtues |access-date=November 20, 2020 |publisher=Washington Examiner |date=May 4, 2020 |archive-date=May 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200526231717/https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/don-shula-epitomized-the-nfls-old-virtues |url-status=live }}</ref> However, while he looked the tough-guy part, Shula paired it with a sharp football mind that helped keep him ahead of the competition.<ref name="Hillyer" />

During the last 20 years of his coaching career, Shula served on the NFL's Competition Committee, an era when the body pushed through rules that made the league more pass-oriented.<ref name="Shula rules">{{cite news |last1=Cole |first1=Jason |title=Shula Ends 20 Years on NFL Committee |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1996-03-02-9603020120-story.html |access-date=November 20, 2020 |publisher=South Florida Sun-Sentinel |date=March 2, 1996}}</ref>

Shula had a winning record against almost every coach he faced, with seven exceptions: Levy, against whom he was 6–14 during the regular season and 0–3 in the playoffs; [[John Madden]], against whom he was 2–2 in the regular season and 1–2 in the playoffs for a total of 3–4; and [[Bill Cowher]], against whom Shula was 1–2 late in his career.<ref name="FP coach records">{{cite web |last1=Stuart |first1=Chase |title=Records of Great Coaches Against Great Coaches |url=https://www.footballperspective.com/records-of-great-coaches-against-great-coaches/ |website=Football Perspective |access-date=November 20, 2020 |archive-date=November 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128234349/https://www.footballperspective.com/records-of-great-coaches-against-great-coaches/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Shula also had losing records against [[Tom Flores]] (1–6) [[Raymond Berry]] (3–8), [[Walt Michaels]] (5–7–1), and Vince Lombardi (5–8).<ref name="FP coach records" />

Shula has the distinction of having coached five different quarterbacks to Super Bowl appearances: [[Johnny Unitas]] and [[Earl Morrall]] in 1968, [[Bob Griese]] in 1971, 1972, and 1973, [[David Woodley]] in 1982, and [[Dan Marino]] in 1984, three of them future Hall of Famers.<ref name="SL records">{{cite news |title=Don Shula Likely to Keep These 2 NFL Coaching Records Forever |url=https://www.sportsline.com/nfl/news/don-shula-likely-to-keep-these-2-nfl-coaching-records-forever/ |access-date=November 20, 2020 |publisher=SportsLine |date=May 19, 2020 |archive-date=May 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200506162818/https://www.sportsline.com/nfl/news/don-shula-likely-to-keep-these-2-nfl-coaching-records-forever/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He also coached Johnny Unitas to another World Championship appearance in the pre-Super Bowl era in 1964.<ref name="Patriot News">{{cite news |last1=Jones |first1=David |title=Don Shula was NFL's biggest winner in Miami. But first, he endured big-game losses in Baltimore |url=https://www.pennlive.com/sports/2020/05/don-shula-was-nfls-biggest-winner-in-miami-but-first-he-endured-big-game-losses-in-baltimore.html |access-date=November 20, 2020 |publisher=Patriot-News |date=May 5, 2020 |archive-date=November 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128233834/https://www.pennlive.com/sports/2020/05/don-shula-was-nfls-biggest-winner-in-miami-but-first-he-endured-big-game-losses-in-baltimore.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The only other NFL coach to approach this distinction is [[Joe Gibbs]], who coached four Super Bowls with three different quarterbacks — [[Joe Theismann]], [[Doug Williams (quarterback)|Doug Williams]], and [[Mark Rypien]] — winning three times.<ref name="Gibbs HOF">{{cite web |title=Joe Gibbs |url=https://www.profootballhof.com/players/joe-gibbs/biography/#:~:text=Gibbs%20is%20the%20only%20coach,7%2D9%20in%201988). |website=Pro Football Hall of Fame |access-date=November 20, 2020 |archive-date=November 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128221627/https://www.profootballhof.com/players/joe-gibbs/biography/#:~:text=Gibbs%20is%20the%20only%20coach,7%2D9%20in%201988). |url-status=live }}</ref>

Shula was added to the [[Miami Dolphin Honor Roll]] on November 25, 1996, not long after he retired.<ref name="Dolphins timeline">{{cite web |last1=Poupart |first1=Alain |title=Following Greatness: Don Shula Career Timeline |url=https://www.miamidolphins.com/news/following-greatness-don-shula-career-timeline |website=Miami Dolphins |access-date=November 20, 2020 |archive-date=September 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929012113/https://www.miamidolphins.com/news/following-greatness-don-shula-career-timeline |url-status=live }}</ref> He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1997, in his first year of eligibility.<ref name="SI induction">{{cite news |title=OTD in Dolphins History: Shula Inducted into the Hall of Fame |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/dolphins/news/celebrating-the-anniversary-of-miami-dolphins-head-coach-don-shula-being-inducted-into-the-hall-of-fame |access-date=November 20, 2020 |publisher=Sports Illustrated |date=July 26, 2020 |archive-date=November 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128154220/https://www.si.com/nfl/dolphins/news/celebrating-the-anniversary-of-miami-dolphins-head-coach-don-shula-being-inducted-into-the-hall-of-fame |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1999, Shula was honored with the "Lombardi Award of Excellence" from the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation. The award was created to honor coach [[Vince Lombardi]]'s legacy, and is given annually to an individual who exemplifies the spirit of the coach.<ref name="Lombardi award">{{cite web |title=Award of Excellence Hall of Fame |url=https://www.lombardifoundation.org/hall-of-fame |website=Lombardi Foundation |access-date=November 20, 2020 |archive-date=April 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403142351/https://www.lombardifoundation.org/hall-of-fame |url-status=live }}</ref> On January 31, 2010, a statue of him was unveiled at [[Hard Rock Stadium]], where the Dolphins play.<ref name="Shula timeline Gainesville" /> The stadium's street address is 347 Don Shula Drive, making reference to his career win total.<ref name="Shula timeline Gainesville" /> In 2011, he was added to a Walk of Fame outside the stadium, and in 2013 he attended a White House ceremony honoring the 1972 team's perfect season.<ref name="Shula timeline Gainesville" />

Shula is honored at the [[Don Shula Stadium]] at [[John Carroll University]], which was named after him when it opened in 2003, and the [[Don Shula Expressway]] in [[Miami]], which was dedicated in 1983.<ref name="Shula timeline Gainesville">{{cite news |last1=Habib |first1=Hal |title=Timeline of Dolphins coach Don Shula through the years |url=https://www.gainesville.com/sports/20200504/timeline-of-dolphins-coach-don-shula-through-years |access-date=November 20, 2020 |publisher=The Gainesville Sun |date=May 4, 2020 |archive-date=November 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129033600/https://www.gainesville.com/sports/20200504/timeline-of-dolphins-coach-don-shula-through-years |url-status=live }}</ref> Since 2002, an annual college football game between [[South Florida]] schools [[Florida Atlantic Owls football|Florida Atlantic]] and [[FIU Golden Panthers football|FIU]] is named the [[Shula Bowl]] in his honor.<ref name="Shula Bowl">{{cite web |last1=Wittry |first1=Andy |title=Here's What You Need to Know About the Shula Bowl |url=https://watchstadium.com/heres-what-you-need-to-know-about-the-shula-bowl-10-30-2018/ |website=Stadium |date=October 30, 2018 |access-date=November 20, 2020}}</ref> The game's winner receives a traveling trophy named the [[Don Shula Award]].<ref name="Shula Bowl" />

==Literary works==

Shula co-authored three books: ''The Winning Edge'' (1973) with Lou Sahadi {{ISBN|0-525-23500-0}}, ''Everyone's a Coach'' (1995) {{ISBN|0-310-20815-7}}, and ''The Little Black Book of Coaching: Motivating People to be Winners'' (2001); {{ISBN|0-06-662103-8}}, both with Ken Blanchard (author of The One Minute Manager).

==Head coaching record==

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+Don Shula NFL coaching record
|-
!scope="col" rowspan="2"|Team
!scope="col" rowspan="2"|Year
!scope="colgroup" colspan="5"|Regular season
!scope="colgroup" colspan="4"|Post season
|-
!scope="col"|Won
!scope="col"|Lost
!scope="col"|Ties
!scope="col"|Win %
!scope="col"|Finish
!scope="col"| Won
!scope="col"| Lost
!scope="col"| Win %
!scope="col"| Result
|-
!scope="row"|[[1963 Baltimore Colts season|BAL]]||[[1963 NFL season|1963]]
||8||6||0||.571||3rd in Western Conference|| colspan="4" | — 
|- style="background:#fdd;"
!scope="row"|[[1964 Baltimore Colts season|BAL]]||[[1964 NFL season|1964]]
||12||2||0||.857||'''1st in Western Conference'''|| 0 || 1 || .000 || '''Lost to [[1964 Cleveland Browns season|Cleveland Browns]] in [[1964 NFL Championship Game|NFL Championship Game]]'''
|- style="background:#fdd;"
!scope="row"|[[1965 Baltimore Colts season|BAL]]||[[1965 NFL season|1965]]
||10||3||1||.769||'''2nd in Western Conference'''|| 0 || 1 || .000 || '''Lost to [[1965 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]] in [[1965 NFL playoffs|Western Conference Playoff]]'''
|-
!scope="row"|[[1966 Baltimore Colts season|BAL]]||[[1966 NFL season|1966]]
||9||5||0||.643||2nd in Western Conference|| colspan="4" | — 
|-
!scope="row"|[[1967 Baltimore Colts season|BAL]]||[[1967 NFL season|1967]]
||11||1||2||.917||2nd in Coastal Division|| colspan="4" | — 
|- style="background:#fdd;"
!scope="row"|[[1968 Baltimore Colts season|BAL]]||[[1968 NFL season|1968]]
||13||1||0||.929||'''1st in Coastal Division'''|| 2 || 1 || .667 || '''[[1968 NFL Championship Game|Won 1968 NFL Championship]]. Lost to [[1968 New York Jets season|New York Jets]] in [[Super Bowl III]]'''
|-
!scope="row"|[[1969 Baltimore Colts season|BAL]]||[[1969 NFL season|1969]]
||8||5||1||.615||2nd in Coastal Division|| colspan="4" | — 
|-
! colspan="2"|BAL Total||71||23||4||.755||||2||3||.400||
|- style="background:#fdd;"
!scope="row"|[[1970 Miami Dolphins season|MIA]]||[[1970 NFL season|1970]]
||10||4||0||.714||'''2nd in AFC East'''|| 0 || 1 || .000 || '''Lost to [[1970 Oakland Raiders season|Oakland Raiders]] in [[1970–71 NFL playoffs|AFC Divisional Game]]'''
|- style="background:#fdd;"
!scope="row"|[[1971 Miami Dolphins season|MIA]]||[[1971 NFL season|1971]]
||10||3||1||.769||'''1st in AFC East'''|| 2 || 1 || .667 || '''Lost to [[1971 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys]] in [[Super Bowl VI]]'''
|-! style="background:#FDE910;"
!scope="row"|[[1972 Miami Dolphins season|MIA]]||[[1972 NFL season|1972]]
||14||0||0||<span style="color:green">'''1.000'''</span>||'''1st in AFC East'''|| 3 || 0 || <span style="color:green">'''1.000'''</span> || '''[[Super Bowl VII]] champions'''
|-! style="background:#FDE910;"
!scope="row"|[[1973 Miami Dolphins season|MIA]]||[[1973 NFL season|1973]]
||12||2||0||.857||'''1st in AFC East'''|| 3 || 0 || 1.000 || '''[[Super Bowl VIII]] champions'''
|- style="background:#fdd;"
!scope="row"|[[1974 Miami Dolphins season|MIA]]||[[1974 NFL season|1974]]
||11||3||0||.786||'''1st in AFC East'''|| 0 || 1 || .000 || '''Lost to [[1974 Oakland Raiders season|Oakland Raiders]] in [[1974–75 NFL playoffs|AFC Divisional Game]]'''
|-
!scope="row"|[[1975 Miami Dolphins season|MIA]]||[[1975 NFL season|1975]]
||10||4||0||.714||2nd in AFC East|| colspan="4" | — 
|-
!scope="row"|[[1976 Miami Dolphins season|MIA]]||[[1976 NFL season|1976]]
||6||8||0||.429||3rd in AFC East|| colspan="4" | — 
|-
!scope="row"|[[1977 Miami Dolphins season|MIA]]||[[1977 NFL season|1977]]
||10||4||0||.714||2nd in AFC East|| colspan="4" | — 
|- style="background:#fdd;"
!scope="row"|[[1978 Miami Dolphins season|MIA]]||[[1978 NFL season|1978]]
||11||5||0||.688||'''2nd in AFC East'''||0||1||.000||'''Lost to [[1978 Houston Oilers season|Houston Oilers]] in [[1978–79 NFL playoffs|AFC wild card game]]'''
|- style="background:#fdd;"
!scope="row"|[[1979 Miami Dolphins season|MIA]]||[[1979 NFL season|1979]]
||10||6||0||.625||'''1st in AFC East'''|| 0 || 1 || .000 || '''Lost to [[1979 Pittsburgh Steelers season|Pittsburgh Steelers]] in [[1979–80 NFL playoffs|AFC Divisional Game]]'''
|-
!scope="row"|[[1980 Miami Dolphins season|MIA]]||[[1980 NFL season|1980]]
||8||8||0||.500||3rd in AFC East|| colspan="4" | — 
|- style="background:#fdd;"
!scope="row"|[[1981 Miami Dolphins season|MIA]]||[[1981 NFL season|1981]]
||11||4||1||.719||'''1st in AFC East'''|| 0 || 1 || .000 || '''Lost to [[1981 San Diego Chargers season|San Diego Chargers]] in [[1981–82 NFL playoffs|AFC Divisional Game]]'''
|- style="background:#fdd;"
!scope="row"|[[1982 Miami Dolphins season|MIA]]||[[1982 NFL season|1982*]]
||7||2||0||.778||'''1st in AFC East'''|| 3 || 1 || .750 || '''Lost to [[1982 Washington Redskins season|Washington Redskins]] in [[Super Bowl XVII]]'''
|- style="background:#fdd;"
!scope="row"|[[1983 Miami Dolphins season|MIA]]||[[1983 NFL season|1983]]
||12||4||0||.750||'''1st in AFC East'''|| 0 || 1 || .000 || '''Lost to [[1983 Seattle Seahawks season|Seattle Seahawks]] in [[1983–84 NFL playoffs|AFC Divisional Game]]'''
|- style="background:#fdd;"
!scope="row"|[[1984 Miami Dolphins season|MIA]]||[[1984 NFL season|1984]]
||14||2||0||.875||'''1st in AFC East'''|| 2 || 1 || .667 || '''Lost to [[1984 San Francisco 49ers season|San Francisco 49ers]] in [[Super Bowl XIX]]'''
|- style="background:#fdd;"
!scope="row"|[[1985 Miami Dolphins season|MIA]]||[[1985 NFL season|1985]]
||12||4||0||.750||'''1st in AFC East'''|| 1 || 1 || .500 || '''Lost to [[1985 New England Patriots season|New England Patriots]] in [[1985–86 NFL playoffs|AFC Championship Game]]'''
|-
!scope="row"|[[1986 Miami Dolphins season|MIA]]||[[1986 NFL season|1986]]
||8||8||0||.500||3rd in AFC East|| colspan="4" | — 
|-
!scope="row"|[[1987 Miami Dolphins season|MIA]]||[[1987 NFL season|1987]]
||8||7||0||.533||3rd in AFC East|| colspan="4" | — 
|-
!scope="row"|[[1988 Miami Dolphins season|MIA]]||[[1988 NFL season|1988]]
||6||10||0||.375||5th in AFC East|| colspan="4" | — 
|-
!scope="row"|[[1989 Miami Dolphins season|MIA]]||[[1989 NFL season|1989]]
||8||8||0||.500||2nd in AFC East|| colspan="4" | — 
|- style="background:#fdd;"
!scope="row"|[[1990 Miami Dolphins season|MIA]]||[[1990 NFL season|1990]]
||12||4||0||.750||'''2nd in AFC East'''|| 1 || 1 || .500 || '''Lost to [[1990 Buffalo Bills season|Buffalo Bills]] in [[1990–91 NFL playoffs|AFC Divisional Game]]'''
|-
!scope="row"|[[1991 Miami Dolphins season|MIA]]||[[1991 NFL season|1991]]
||8||8||0||.500||3rd in AFC East|| colspan="4" | — 
|- style="background:#fdd;"
!scope="row"|[[1992 Miami Dolphins season|MIA]]||[[1992 NFL season|1992]]
||11||5||0||.688||'''1st in AFC East'''|| 1 || 1 || .500 || '''Lost to [[1992 Buffalo Bills season|Buffalo Bills]] in [[1992–93 NFL playoffs|AFC Championship Game]]'''
|-
!scope="row"|[[1993 Miami Dolphins season|MIA]]||[[1993 NFL season|1993]]
||9||7||0||.563||2nd in AFC East|| colspan="4" | — 
|- style="background:#fdd;"
!scope="row"|[[1994 Miami Dolphins season|MIA]]||[[1994 NFL season|1994]]
||10||6||0||.625||'''1st in AFC East'''|| 1 || 1 || .500 || '''Lost to [[1994 San Diego Chargers season|San Diego Chargers]] in [[1994–95 NFL playoffs|AFC Divisional Game]]'''
|- style="background:#fdd;"
!scope="row"|[[1995 Miami Dolphins season|MIA]]||[[1995 NFL season|1995]]
||9||7||0||.563||'''3rd in AFC East'''||0||1||.000||'''Lost to [[1995 Buffalo Bills season|Buffalo Bills]] in [[1995–96 NFL playoffs|AFC Wild Card Game]]'''
|-
! colspan="2"|MIA Total||257||133||2||.659||||17||14||.548||
|-
! colspan="2"|Total<ref name="Shula PFR coach">{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/ShulDo0.htm|title=Don Shula: Coaches Main Page|work=Pro Football Reference|access-date=May 4, 2020|archive-date=March 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321111228/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/ShulDo0.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>||328||156||6||.677|||| 19|| 17 || .528 ||
|-
|}
*''57-day long players' strike reduced the 1982 season from a 16-game schedule per team to 9''

==Coaching tree==
Shula worked under three head coaches:
*[[Dick Voris]], [[List of Virginia Cavaliers head football coaches|Virginia]] (1958)
*[[Blanton Collier]], [[List of Kentucky Wildcats head football coaches|Kentucky]] (1959)
*[[George Wilson (American football coach)|George Wilson]], [[List of Detroit Lions head coaches|Detroit Lions]] (1960–1962)

Nine of Shula's assistant coaches have become NFL or NCAA head coaches:
*[[Don McCafferty]], [[List of Indianapolis Colts head coaches|Baltimore Colts]] (1970–1972), Detroit Lions (1973)
*[[Bill Arnsparger]], [[List of New York Giants head coaches|New York Giants]] (1974–1976), [[List of LSU Tigers head football coaches|LSU]] (1984–1986)
*[[Chuck Noll]], [[List of Pittsburgh Steelers head coaches|Pittsburgh Steelers]] (1969–1991)
*[[Howard Schnellenberger]], Baltimore Colts (1973–1974), [[List of Miami Hurricanes head football coaches|University of Miami]] (1979–1983), [[List of Louisville Cardinals head football coaches|Louisville]] (1985–1994), [[List of Oklahoma Sooners head football coaches|Oklahoma]] (1995), [[List of Florida Atlantic Owls head football coaches|Florida Atlantic]] (2001–2011)
*[[Monte Clark]], [[List of San Francisco 49ers head coaches|San Francisco 49ers]] (1976), Detroit Lions (1978–1984)
*[[Wally English]], [[List of Tulane Green Wave head football coaches|Tulane]] (1983–1984)
*[[Dan Henning]], [[List of Atlanta Falcons head coaches|Atlanta Falcons]] (1983–1986), [[List of Los Angeles Chargers head coaches|San Diego Chargers]] (1989–1991), [[List of Boston College Eagles head football coaches|Boston College]] (1994–1996)
*[[Dave Shula]], [[List of Cincinnati Bengals head coaches|Cincinnati Bengals]] (1992–1996)
*[[Mike Shula]], [[List of Alabama Crimson Tide head football coaches|Alabama]] (2003–2006)

Four of Shula's former players have become NFL or NCAA head coaches:
*[[Ray Perkins]], [[List of New York Giants head coaches|New York Giants]] (1979–1982), Alabama (1983–1986)
*[[Doug Marrone]], [[List of Syracuse Orange head football coaches|Syracuse]] (2009–2012), [[List of Buffalo Bills head coaches|Buffalo Bills]] (2013–2014), [[List of Jacksonville Jaguars head coaches|Jacksonville Jaguars]] (2016, interim, 2017–2020)
*[[Doug Pederson]], [[List of Philadelphia Eagles head coaches|Philadelphia Eagles]] (2016–2020), [[List of Jacksonville Jaguars head coaches|Jacksonville Jaguars]] (2022–2024)
*[[Don Strock]], Florida International University 2002–2006

Four of Shula's executives became general managers in the NFL:
*[[Bobby Beathard]], [[Miami Dolphins]] (1972–1977), [[Washington Commanders|Washington Redskins]] (1978–1988), [[Los Angeles Chargers|San Diego Chargers]] (1990–2000)
*[[Kevin Colbert]], [[Pittsburgh Steelers]] (2000–2021)
*[[Tom Heckert Jr.]], Philadelphia Eagles (2006–2009), [[Cleveland Browns]] (2010–2012)
*[[Jason Licht]], [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]] (2014–present)

==See also==
* [[List of National Football League head coaches with 50 wins]]
* [[List of National Football League head coaches with 200 wins]]
* [[List of Super Bowl head coaches]]

{{Portal bar|American football|Biography}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}
{{reflist|group=note}}

==References==

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Profootballhof|194}}
* {{IMDb name|0795677}}
* {{Find a Grave|209749807}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Shula, Don}}
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