Don Shula: Dan Marino, Larry Fitzgerald and Other NFL Stars Honor Legendary Dolphins Coach
Dolphins Hall of Fame coach Don Shula died Monday morning at his home at the age of 90.
As the winningest coach in NFL history, Shula led the 1972 Dolphins to the only undefeated season the league has ever witnessed. Miami went 17–0 and capped off its perfect season with a 14–7 victory over Washington in Super Bowl VII.
Shula's legendary toughness and intensity defined his 33-year coaching career, which included seven years with the Baltimore Colts, 26 seasons in Miami and two Super Bowl rings. The Hall of Famer remains one of the greatest coaches in NFL history, and his death is a huge loss to the football community.
Former Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino, who played for Shula for over 10 seasons, joined NFL stars J.J. Watt and Larry Fitzgerald and more players in paying tribute to Shula on social media. Multiple NFL teams and coaches also honored Shula.
"Coach Shula–you will truly be missed! You embody the definition of 'greatness.' You brought that winning attitude with you every day and made everyone around you better," Marino said.
Reaction from Alain Poupart of All Dolphins: To say Don Shula put South Florida on the sports map is no exaggeration. He made the Miami Dolphins the envy of many, if not all franchises, in the 1970s and into the ‘80s.
The two things that stand out most about Shula’s career as Dolphins head coach was the incredible consistency he showed. The man had a losing record exactly twice in 26 seasons.
More remarkable, though, was the way he adapted to his talent. He won two Super Bowls with a run-oriented offense when he had Bob Griese as his quarterback, then unleashed the greatest passing attack the NFL had ever seen once he got his hands on Dan Marino.
The mark Shula left on South Florida is indelible—there's even a highway named after him. The stadium address is 347 Don Shula Drive, commemorating the legendary coach and his career victory total.
