Don Shula life and biography

Don Shula, the coach with the most wins in National Football League history retired after 1995 season. Shula may be remembered best for coaching the only undefeated team in NFL history.

He coached in the NFL for 33 years, including 26 years as head coach of the Miami Dolphins. He lead his teams to more wins than any other coach in the history of the NFL.

Don Shula has appeared in more Super Bowls (six) than any other coach. He is considered by many to be one of the greatest coaches ever to step on a sporting field.

On July 26, 1997, Don Shula capped an illustrious career when he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His unanimous election to the Hall was the ultimate honor in a career full of record-setting accomplishments.

Shula broke into the NFL as the lone rookie on Coach Paul Brown's defending NFL champion Cleveland Browns in 1951. He was involved in the largest trade in modern NFL history, a 15-player deal with Baltimore in 1953. He played four seasons with the Colts (1953-56) and one season at Washington (1957) at right cornerback. He had 21 career interceptions for 247 yards in seven seasons. In college, he was a running back at John Carroll University in Cleveland.

After serving for three years (1960-1962) as defensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions, he became head coach in Baltimore. Shula entered the coaching ranks with an assistant's job at Virginia (1958) and Kentucky (1959) before joining the NFL Lions.

Shula spent seven years as head coach of the Baltimore Colts. In that span, he complied a record 73-26-4 (.728) and advanced to the playoffs four times, including two appearances in the NFL Championship Game, in 1964 and 1968.

At age 33, he was the youngest head coach in the history of the NFL. Shula's record as head coach of the Dolphins (1970-96) and the Baltimore Colts (1963-69) is unmatched in National Football League history.

He has appeared in more Super Bowls than any other coach beginning with the Colts in 1968. Along with being one of only two coaches to reach the Super Bowl three straight seasons (1971-73), he is only one of five coaches in NFL history to win consecutive Super Bowls (1972 and 1973). He also advanced to the Bowl with the Dolphins in 1982 and 1984.

On November 14, 1993, in Philadelphia, Shula won his 325th career game, moving him past the immortal George Halas (324-151-31) and setting an NFL record for most career victories.

In addition to his football responsibilities, Shula has always given considerable time and support to countless charities. Because of his success on the football field, and long-time civic and charitable service, Shula is the recipient of many awards including the 1993 Sports Illustrated Man of the Year award and the Horatio Alger Award.

Results:

* Coached only undefeated team in NFL history - 1972 Miami Dolphins
* Lead his teams to more wins than any other coach in the history of the NFL
* Appeared in more Super Bowls than any other coach
* Unanimous election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame
* Youngest head coach in the history of the NFL
* 4-time Coach of Year
* Shula's teams reached the playoffs 20 times in 33 seasons
* Took six teams to the Super Bowl
* Won 4 Super Bowls - twice with Baltimore (1964,68) and twice with Miami (1970-71)
* Served from 1975 through 1995 on the league's influential Competition Committee

Read more