SHULA, DON

born Jan. 4, 1930, Grand River, Ohio, U.S. byname of Donald Francis Shula U.S. professional football player and coach, notably of the National Football League (NFL) Miami Dolphins from 1970. At Harvey High School (Painesville, Ohio) Shula was an all-around athlete, playing baseball and basketball as well as football, and at John Carroll University (Cleveland) he played halfback and defensive back. He received his B.S. degree in 1951 and later an M.A. in physical education from Western Reserve University (later Case Western University, Cleveland; 1953). Shula played professionally for the Cleveland Browns (195152), the Baltimore Colts (195356), and the Washington Redskins (1957). He began coaching in 1958 as an assistant at the University of Virginia (Charlottesville) and, the following year, at the University of Kentucky (Lexington). He was defensive backfield coach for the Detroit Lions (196062). He became head coach of the Baltimore Colts in 1963. His Baltimore teams won division championships in 1964 and 1968; the 1968 team went on to capture the NFL Championship but lost the 196869 Super Bowl. Overall, the Colts under Shula won 71 games, lost 23, and tied 4. As coach of the Miami Dolphins he became the first NFL coach to win 100 games in 10 seasons. In 1971 Miami won the conference championship but lost in the Super Bowl. The Dolphins in 197273 became the first team to go undefeated through an entire season and the playoffs, culminating with a win in the Super Bowl. His teams played in three other Super Bowls, winning in 197374 and losing in 198283 and 198485. On Nov. 14, 1993, Shula scored his 325th career victory, breaking George Halas' coaching record for victories in the NFL.