Former Miami Dolphins head coach Don Shula passed away at his home on Monday morning, according to a social media post by the Miami Dolphins. Shula lived a full life, passing at 90-years-old.
“Don Shula was the patriarch of the Miami Dolphins for 50 years,” the Miami Dolphins said in a Twitter post. “He brought the winning edge to our franchise and put the Dolphins and the city of Miami in the national sports scene. Our deepest thoughts and prayers go out to Mary Anne along with his children Dave, Donna, Sharon, Anne and Mike.”
Shula, who coached 33 seasons, was dubbed the NFL’s all-time winningest coach earning 347 wins.
In 1972, he led the Dolphins with the first perfect season in NFL history, making the team undefeated 17-0. The next time a team would accomplish that would be in 2007 when the New England Patriots would also have a perfect record.
Shula took the team to the Super Bowl five times, won 16 division titles and 19 playoff games.
“Today is a sad day,” Dolphins president Tom Garfinkel said in a statement. “Coach Shula was the rare man who exemplified true greatness in every aspect of his life. He will be so missed by so many but his legacy of character and excellence will endure. All my best to Mary Anne and the Shula family.”
The Pro Football Hall of Famer spent 26 seasons with the Dolphins before retiring in 1995. His son’s would follow in his footsteps with David Shula coaching the Cincinnati Bengals from 1992 through 1996 and Mike Shula coaching for the Denver Broncos.
