Early Life

Don Shula was an American football player and coach who is widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches in NFL history.

Don Shula was born on January 4, 1930, in Grand River, Ohio. Shula’s parents are Dan and Mary Shula. They were immigrants from Hungary.

The home Shula spent his early childhood was bought by his father, Dan, when he was younger and saved up money for it from his $9 a week salary at a rose nursery.

From Shula’s childhood, he started playing football in the neighborhood but got banned from playing further by his parents after he had a gash on his face.

Shula grew up with six siblings, including a set of triplets born in 1936 that made his father obtain a job in the local fishing industry for $15 a week to support the family.

Education

Shula attended elementary school at St. Mary’s, a private Catholic school in Painesville.

He also attended Harvey High School in Painesville, Ohio. In his high school days, Shula played on the school’s football team although he had to forge his parents signature to sign up due his early days prohibition from them.

As a member of the football team, Shula displayed excellent skills and won numerous matches.

Shula later received a one-year scholarship at the private Jesuit school in University Heights, a suburb of Cleveland but it was extended to a full- scholarship after he performed well as a freshman.

While at University Heights, Shula wanted to transition into becoming Catholic Priesthood influenced by a three-day retreat at the school but he later decided to commit to football.

Career

Shula’s football career started from his childhood. Back then, he was seen playing football in the neighborhood.

Shula led the Miami Dolphins to two Super Bowl victories and had the only perfect season in NFL history. He is also the winningest coach in history with 347 career wins.

Shula started his NFL career as a defensive back playing for various teams such as the Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Colts, and Washington Redskins.

After retiring as a player, he began his coaching career in 1960 as the defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions. He became the youngest head coach at the age of 33 when he took over the Baltimore Colts.

He led the Colts to three straight Western Conference titles and one NFL Championship in 1968 but lost to the New York Jets in Super Bowl III.

Shula moved to the Miami Dolphins in 1970 where he gained the most success. He stayed on as a coach for the Dolphins for 26 seasons and won two Super Bowls with them. He also led them to a perfect 17-0 record in 1972 which is the only perfect season in NFL history.

Shula retired from coaching after the 1995 season and is widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches of all time.

Personal Life

Shula married Dorothy Bartish in 1958. Bartish was his high school sweetheart. The couple had five children.

Later in 1991, Dorothy died of breast cancer. Shula later married his second wife, Mary Anne Stephens.

In respect to the memory of his first wife, Shula established the Don Shula Foundation for Breast Cancer Research.

Shula was also a devoted Catholic. He sadly passed away in 2020 at the age of 90.