Don Shula, Class of 1997
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Don Shula played cornerback for the Colts for four seasons and for the Washington Redskins in 1957 before turning to coaching as a college assistant.
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Shula returned to pro football in 1960 as the Detroit Lions defensive coordinator.
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In 1963, Shula was hired as head coach of the Baltimore Colts. At 33, he was the then-youngest head coach in NFL history.
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In 1970, he made a major career move when he took over the Dolphins in only their fifth season. Almost immediately, he turned the Miami team into a perpetual winner.
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In Super Bowl VII, the 1972 Dolphins completed their historic 17-0-0 campaign – the only perfect season in NFL history – with a 14-7 win over the Washington Redskins. In 1973, Miami defeated the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl VIII to culminate a two-season span when the Dolphins won 32 of 34 games.
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In 26 years at Miami, Shula’s Dolphins experienced only two seasons below .500.
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In 1995, he concluded his 33rd season as the winningest NFL head coach ever with a career mark of 347-173-6 (.665).
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Shula was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1997.
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Don Shula poses with his Hall of Fame bust.
’s record as head coach of the Baltimore Colts from 1963 to 1969 and the Miami Dolphins from 1970 to 1995 is unmatched in NFL history.
