In 33 years, Don Shula had just two losing seasons. Two.
The former Miami Dolphins coach, who died Monday at the age of 90, is the winningest coach of all-time, and a glance at his accomplishments explains why. He holds the records for most wins (347) and is the only coach in NFL history to guide his team to a perfect season (the 1972 Dolphins).
As a coach, Shula went 328-156-6 across two teams before he retired in 1995. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame just two years later.
With so much accomplished, here’s a look at the 10 top moments from Shula’s legendary career:
No. 10: Sports Illustrated sportsman of the year
Sure, an award from a sports magazine might not be the most prestigious honor in the world, but it spoke volumes in 1993 when Sports Illustrated named Shula their sportsman of the year — becoming the first, and only, coach with the honor. The award was a reflection of his success across four decades.
No. 9: Super Bowl III
This isn’t a positive memory for Shula, as his Baltimore Colts were on the receiving end of one of the biggest upsets in NFL history when Joe Namath and the New York Jets stunned the heavy favorites. But it’s memorable for two reasons. First, Namath guaranteed the victory. Second, Colts owner Carroll Rosenbloom was so angry with Shula, the coach started listening to other offers, according to the Palm Beach Post. Shula joined the Dolphins in 1970, two years after the Colts’ loss in Super Bowl III.
No. 8: Drafting Dan Marino
Twenty-six teams passed on quarterback Dan Marino until Shula and the Dolphins called his name on draft night in 1983. Marino’s selection reflected how adaptable Shula was as a coach, transforming his offense from a run-first unit to a record-setting passing attack under Marino. In 1984, Marino threw for a then-record 5,084 yards and 48 touchdowns.
No. 7: The hook and lateral
The Miami Dolphins lost this game, but in some ways, it doesn’t matter. In 1984 against the San Diego Chargers, Shula had Miami execute one of the best plays of all-time when, with seconds left in the first half, Duriel Harris caught a pass and immediately lateraled it outside to Tony Nathan — who ran free for the touchdown. Pure genius.
No. 6: Christmas Day slog
To date, the 82-minute, 40-second Christmas day slog between the Miami Dolphins and the Kansas City Chiefs in 1971 is the longest game without interruptions in NFL history. The playoff game went into double overtime and ended with a 37-yard field goal. Afterward, Shula and his son, David, had to hitchhike home once they realized their car had a dead battery, according to the Palm Beach Post.
No. 5: The intentional safety
Howard Cosell put it best in 1973 after witnessing the coach’s latest trickery: “Shula’s ahead of us all.” Backed up deep in their own end zone, Shula had Dolphins quarterback Bob Griese take an intentional safety against the Pittsburgh Steelers late in the fourth quarter. Up 30-24 at the time, Shula gambled that it was better to give the Steelers two points instead of great field position from the punt.
No. 4: The clock play
Want to understand Shula’s ability to exploit the game? Look no further than Marino’s fake-spike in 1994. Down 24-21 with 25 seconds left, Marino and the Dolphins caught the New York Jets off guard, feigning a spike only to throw it to Mark Ingram for the game-winning touchdown.
No. 3: Surpassing George Halas
Shula became the winning coach in football history on Nov. 14, 1993 when he surpassed Chicago’s George Halas in victories. The style of victory was a fitting nod to Shula’s coaching style as he found a way to win with backup quarterback Doug Pederson. (Yes, that Doug Pederson, who now coaches the Philadelphia Eagles.)
No 2: Back-to-back
Under Shula, the Dolphins were the second team ever to win back-to-back Super Bowls. The 1973 Dolphins defended their title with a 24-7 win over the Minnesota Vikings. This would be Shula’s last Super Bowl victory, as he made the game two more times (1983, 1988), only to lose both.
No. 1: A perfect season
Contrary to popular belief, members of the 1972 Dolphins don’t get together and pop champagne every time the last remaining undefeated team in an NFL season finally suffers a defeat. Shula told biographer Carlo DeVito that “just doesn’t happen.” But the urban myth doesn’t take away from the fact that the 1972 Dolphins are the only team to complete a perfect season. The 2007 New England Patriots came close, but lost the Super Bowl to the New York Giants.
The Dolphins, though, capped off their perfect season with a 14-7 win over the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl VII.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.