A Closer Look at Don Shula’s Hall of Fame NFL Coaching Career

On Monday, May 4, a flash went across my IPAD that read, “Don Shula, Hall of Fame NFL Coach, dies at 90”.

Immediately my brain went into high gear, thinking of the best way to honor one of the greatest coaches ever.

Being an NFL historian as well as an overall sports historian and expert, my mind switched into autopilot, reviewing some of his most significant accomplishments.

Coach Shula’s playing career was not one that received much attention. The Cleveland Browns drafted him as a defensive back in the ninth round of the 1951 NFL draft. Shula played seven NFL seasons, recording 21 interceptions while playing for three different teams (Browns, Colts and Redskins).

Baltimore Colts & 1960s

In 1963 the Baltimore Colts made Shula the youngest Head Coach in NFL history at age 33. It did not take long for the young head coach to make his mark. In seven seasons with Baltimore, Shula won 75 percent of his games (71–23–4).

Despite that success, Shula’s reputation plummeted when the upstart New York Jets of the AFL defeated Shula’s heavily favored Colts (18.5 favorites), 16–7 in Super Bowl III.

Shula lasted one more season in Baltimore before being hired by the Miami Dolphins. Only in their fifth…