Don Shula, National Football League’s winningest coach, who led the Miami Dolphins for 50 years, died on Monday morning. Shula died in his home at age 90. There were no details provided on Shula’s death. Shula was born on Jan. 4, 1930, and raised in Painesville, Ohio. The coach played multiple roles throughout his life. Shula spent most of his career coaching the Dolphins for about four decades. Throughout his career, he led the team to two Super Bowl championships and retired in Jan.1996, with a 328–156 record. 

Shula won a record number of 347 games in the NFL. By the time Shula resigned as the Dolphins’ coach, after the 1995 season, Shula had been head coach for 33 seasons, and 26 seasons with Miami. He coached three Hall of Fame quarterbacks, Johnny Unitas, Dan Marino, and Bob Griese. Shula played running back in college and cornerback for seven seasons in the pros. He entered coaching as an assistant at the University of Virginia in 1958. 

Life after football

For Shula’s active retirement, it had plenty of travel and social events. He wanted to do what he enjoyed and to spend more time with his family. After he retired, Shula wanted to face different experiences. The Don Shula Foundation, which was formed to help support breast cancer research, was established as a tribute to his late wife, Dorothy. They were married for 32 years and raised five children before she died in 1991. Shula, then married Mary Anne Stephens in 1993. 

Before Shula died, Hall of Fame fullback, Larry Csonka, who was with the 1972 Dolphins, threw a surprise party for Shula for his birthday in December to celebrate his 90th year. Csonka indicated how it was probably the first time in the entire time he has known Shula, where he was actually really surprised, and looked so happy. Dolphins’ president, Tom Garfinkel said that coach Shula was a man who showed real greatness in every part of his life and will be missed. Sending our condolences to Mary Anne and his children Dave, Sharon, Donna, Anne, and Mike.