Don Shula: 50 Year After His Hiring
Feb. 18, 1970 was the date that changed Dolphins history forever. Fifty years ago today, team founder Joe Robbie named Don Shula to be the Miami Dolphins' new head coach.
It was a hiring that would leave a lasting impact that still lives on to this day. Shula accomplished a number of historic accomplishments during his time with Miami, including two Super Bowls and the only perfect season in NFL history. His 347 wins are the most by any coach in league history and he had just two seasons with a losing record in 33 years as a head coach.
Photos of Don Shula's life and football career.
Baltimore Colts head coach Don Shula is carried from the field by players of his team after winning the NFL Western Division title against the Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles, Calif., November 22, 1964. Player on the left is Lou Kirouac (61), others are unidentified. (AP Photo)
Tiger Woods, left, and former Miami Dolphins head football coach Don Shula hold up the trophy on the 18th hole Sunday, March 25, 2007, after Woods won the the CA Championship golf tournament in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
The 1972 Miami Dolphins and Coach Don Shula cake is displayed during a half time celebration during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Houston Madison High School coach Ray Seals, right, poses with Hall of Fame coach Don Shula, left, after being named the winner of the Don Shula NFL Coach of the Year Award during a news conference Friday, Feb. 4, 2011, in Dallas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Coach Don Shula of the Miami Dolphins talks at half-time ceremonies during play against the Chicago Bears Nov. 18, 2010 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
Former Miami Dolphins football quarterback Bob Griese, left, President Barack Obama and 1972 Dolphins Coach Don Shula, right, hold a signed jersey in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2013, during a ceremony honoring the Super Bowl VII football Champion Miami Dolphins. The 1972 Miami Dolphins remain the only undefeated team in NFL history. Form left are, Griese, wide receiver Paul Warfield, the president, running back Larry Csonka and Shula. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Hall of Fame Miami Dolphins football coach Don Shula, right, holds up a signed team jersey that he presented to President Barack Obama during a ceremony honoring the Super Bowl VII football Champion Miami Dolphins, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2013, in the East Room of the White House in Washington. The 1972 Miami Dolphins remain the only undefeated team in NFL history. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Former Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino, left, greets former head coach Don Shula on the field before an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016 in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Former Miami Dolphins head coach Don Shula, left, and his wife, Mary Anne are shown at a birthday cake on the field during celebration of Shula's 80th birthday, which is Monday, during half time of an NFL football game between the Dolphins and the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010 in Miami. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)
A wall with Birthday cards for former Miami Dolphins head coach Don Shula is shown outside the stadium before the first half of an NFL football game between the Miami Dolphins and the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010 in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Former Miami Dolphins football coach Don Shula gestures as he speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at his home in Indian Creek, Fla., Nov. 8, 2007. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Former Miami Dolphins head coach Don Shula waves to the crowd during a half time ceremony during an NFL football game between the Miami Dolphins and the New Orleans Saints Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009 in Miami. (AP Photo/Jeffrey M. Boan)
Former Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula, left, talks with former players from the 1972 unbeaten team during a halftime ceremony at a football game against the Baltimore Ravens at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Sunday, Dec. 16, 2007. From L-R: Shula, Larry Seiple (20), Jim Kiick (21), Mercury Morris (22) and Lloyd Mumphord (26). (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
ADVANCE FOR WEEKEND, NOV. 17-18 Former Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula celebrates with teammates of the 1972 Miami Dolphins "perfect season" team as they were honored during halftime of the Miami Dolphins-Buffalo Bills NFL football game in Miami on Nov. 17, 1997. At left is the widow of Maulty Moore. The '72 Dolphins are divided as to whether the '07 New England Patriots pose a significant threat to eclipse the accomplishment by going 19-0. But there's no debating that in this era of the Internet, talk radio and cable sports channels, perfect-season hype starts much earlier. (AP Photo/Hans Deryk, File)
ADVANCE FOR WEEKEND EDITIONS, OCT. 22-23 - In this Dec. 11, 1995, file photo, Miami Dolphins' coach Don Shula, left, gives quarterback Dan Marino a congratulatory hug as Marino was honored in Miami, for breaking three standing passing records previously held by Minnesota Vikings quarterback Fran Tarkenton. The new Englands Patriots' bye means Tom Brady will have to wait at least another week to set another record. With his next win for New England, Brady and coach Bill Belichick will have their 117th regular-season victory together, breaking the record of Miami's Marino and Shula for the most by a quarterback-coach combo. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)
Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula is carried on his team's shoulders after his 325th victory, at Philadelphia's Veterans Stadium, Nov. 14, 1993. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)
Miami Dolphins head coach Don Shula, left, meets with his son, Cincinnati Bengals head coach Dave Shula, before the start of their game Sunday, Oct. 1, 1995, in Cincinnati. The two met last year with Miami winning. (AP Photo/David Kohl)
Miami Dolphins Hall of Fame head coach Don Shula is honored for his record 325th career win in Miami, Nov. 21, 1993. (AP Photo/NFL Photos/Al Messerschmidt)
Miami Dolphins head coach Don Shula has a bucket of water poured over him after the Dolphins 30-20 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Miami on Sunday, Oct. 31, 1993. Shula tied George Halas record of 324 pro victories with the win. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Boan)
Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula poses in the locker room with the Lombardi Super Bowl trophy in November 1986. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula (2nd from L) is congratulated atop the toll booth along the 874expressway in Miami on Wednesday, August 4, 1983, after the highway was named for him. State Senator Roberta Fox and Florida Representative John Cosgrove were sponsors of the legislation for the re-naming of the road. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino talks with coach Don Shula in 1985. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
Miami Dolphins Coach Don Shula grins at a press conference after announcing that he renewed his contract with the NFL?s Miami-based team on Monday, Nov. 29, 1983 in Miami, Florida. Shula?s 14-year tenure with the Dolphins will be extended by several years. Dolphin?s owner Joe Robbie did not disclose the terms of the new contract, but Shula already is the National Football League?s highest-apid coach. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Miami Dolphins Coach Don Shula, right, reacts as he congratulates kicker Uwe von Schamann Sunday after Uwe von Schamann kicked an overtime field goal to put the Dolphins ahead, 30-27, defeating the New England Patriots in Foxboro, Mass. The win gave Shula his 200th victory as an NFL head coach in the regular season and playoffs. (AP Photo/Joanne Rathe)
Miami Dolphins Hall of Fame head coach Don Shula is carried off the field by his players after a 14-7 win over the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl VII in Los Angeles, Calif., Jan. 14, 1973. (AP Photo/NFL Photos/Vernon Biever)
Miami Dolphin coach Don Shula gives a big victory wave as he steps down the plane ramp at Miami on Monday, Jan. 14, 1974. Bottom of photo is Joe Robbie, Dolphin owner. The coach and some members of the world champion Dolphins arrived home after their win over Minnesota in Super Bowl VIII in Houston Sunday. (AP Photo)
Miami Dolphins Hall of Fame head football coach Don Shula poses with his son Mike in Miami, Fla., 1982. Mike is an assistant coach on his father's staff. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula has his arm around middle linebacker Nick Buoniconti prior to start of Super Bowl in New Orleans on Sunday, Jan. 16, 1972. (AP Photo)
Miami Dolphins Coach Don Shula, left, embraces Pittsburgh Steelers Coach Chuck Noll on Jan. 1, 1972 in Pittsburgh, as the scoreboard behind them tells of the Dolphins 21-17 win over the Steelers for the American Football Conference championship. (AP Photo)
Miami Dolphin Coach Don Shula shows off a large cake given to him by a Dolphin fan on Jan. 6, 1972 in Miami. Shula had his 42nd birthday on Tuesday. (AP Photo/JM)
Dolphin coach Don Shula accepted the Super Bowl trophy following Miami?s convincing 24-7 wins over the Minnesota Vikings on Jan. 13, 1974 in Houston, Texas. From left are NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle and Joe Robbie, majority owner of the Dolphins. (AP Photo/CK)
University of Kentucky's new football assistant coaches discuss plans for spring training in Lexington, Kentucky in February 1959. From left to right: Howard Schnellenberger, Don Shula, and coach Blanton Collier. (AP Photo)
Miami Dolphin head coach, Don Shula, does a few twisting exercises along with his rookies which reported to the Dolphin training camp on Sunday, July 12, 1971 in Miami. The full Dolphin squad is expected to begin training within a weeks time. (AP Photo/MF)
Miami Dolphins head Coach Don Shula celebrates with players after a game wining field goal in a 27 to 24 double overtime Dolphins win over the Kansas City Chiefs on December 25, 1971 at Municipal Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
Miami Dolphins Coach Don Shula had his say to an official during a game in 1972. Shula, who was named Associated Press pro coach of the year in leading his club to a 14-0 regular season record and two playoff wins, will lead his club against the Washington Redskins in the Super Bowl game in Los Angeles on January 14. (AP Photo)
Miami Dolphins' quarterback Bob Griese, left, was viewing game films with coach Don Shula when he learned he was named NFL Offensive Player of the Week, in Miami, Nov. 17, 1970. Griese completed 15 of 19 passes last Sunday in guiding the Dolphins to a 21-10 victory over the New Orleans. (AP Photo/Steve Starr)
Don Shula, Miami Dolphins coach, 1970. Location unknown. (AP Photo)
Baltimore Colts defensive back Don Shula (25) returns an interception during an NFL game against the Green Bay Packers in Green Bay, Wisc., Oct. 8, 1955. The Packers defeated the Colts 37-14. (AP Photo/NFL Photos/Vernon Biever)
Coach Don Shula of the Baltimore Colts, shown watching a film prior to 34-10 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, shares honors with Rams? Coach George Allen as National Football League Coach of the Year on Sunday, Dec. 19, 1967 in Baltimore. Each coach received 16 votes in the balloting of an Associated Press panel. The tie, announced Monday, came one day late for Shula. Had the Colts tied the Rams Sunday, Baltimore and not Los Angeles would have won the NFL?s Coastal Division title. (AP Photo/WAS)
Baltimore coach Don Shula, right, goes over a play diagram with quarterback John Unitas, left, the National Football League's leading passer, and Lenny Moore, the league's leading scorer on Nov. 4, 1964 in Baltimore, Md. Moore and Unitas are two of the reasons the Colts are riding atop the standings in the Western Division. The Baltimore express moves to Chicago on Sunday for a game with the Bears, victims of a 52-0 drubbing the least time the two teams played. (AP Photo)
Baltimore Colts head coach Don Shula is shown at his team's training camp in August 1964. (AP Photo)
Don Shula (right), new head coach of the Baltimore Colts, is interviewed by Jack Dawson (center) of WMAR-TV at his news conference on Jan. 10, 1963 in Baltimore, Md. Cameraman (left) is Eddy Eisenmeier. (AP Photo)
Washington Redskins Hall of Fame defensive back Don Shula circa 1957. (Pro Football Hall of Fame via AP Images)
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In His Own Words, Shula talks about the decision to leave Baltimore and bring his family down to South Florida. Fifty years later, read about what brought the legendary head coach to Miami and how it all went down.
New Mock Drafts From Kiper And Casserly
Two well-known analysts in football released new mock drafts this morning. ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. and NFL Media Analyst Charley Casserly both dropped new editions today, this one being Casserly’s first of the offseason.
There was a noticeable difference at the top of Kiper’s second mock draft. His previous prediction of Tua Tagovailoa to the Dolphins has changed. Kiper has the Alabama prospect going at No. 3 to the Detroit Lions, while Oregon's Justin Herbert is slotted in Miami's No. 5 pick.
Kiper says there are still plenty of factors in play as the draft inches closer, including the possibility of trades and the looming free agency period.
"This pick also seems like the perfect spot for a team to trade up to get a quarterback, whether that's Tagovailoa, Justin Herbert or someone else," Kiper said about the No. 3 spot.
He also believes there is uncertainty surrounding the quarterback position for Miami.
"What's tough to predict is whether the Dolphins will instead look to the deep quarterback class in free agency, where they will have almost $100 million to spend," Kiper said.
On the other hand, Casserly slotted Tagovailoa into the No. 5 spot.
"It will depend on how his hip checks out with team doctors," Casserly writes. "Do the Dolphins have to trade up to make sure they get him? Are they interested in Justin Herbert?"
As for the later first-round picks, there was a slight discrepancy between the two analysts. Kiper believes the Dolphins will build the offense with their other two picks.
At No. 18, Kiper has Georgia tackle Andrew Thomas coming to South Florida, and his college teammate – running back D’Andre Swift – at No. 26.
"Thomas has dropped a little bit since he went in the top 10 in my Mock Draft 1.0 last month, but that's because this tackle class is so good at the top," Kiper said. "Given its depleted roster, Miami should go with the best prospect available in Round 1, and that's Thomas at No. 18."
He also had big praise for Swift.
"I have a higher grade on him than I did on Josh Jacobs last year," Kiper writes about Swift. "This is a great way to build the Miami offense, though it still needs some pieces to get back on track."
Casserly believes the Dolphins will go defense at No. 18, but also predicted a running back at No. 26.
C.J. Henderson, former Florida Gators cornerback, was Casserly's pick at No. 18.
"The Dolphins have many needs and could go a lot of different ways in this slot. The strongest prospect at this point in the draft is a corner.
At No. 26, Casserly has J.K. Dobbins, the Ohio State prospect, heading to Miami.
"The Dolphins need a running back, and Dobbins has the modern tools to thrive at the position in today's NFL."
Jerome Baker Surprises Young Fan
Yesterday on "Good Morning America," 8-year old Keoni Ching was on the morning show to discuss about his project to eliminate his classmates' school lunch debt.
Ching, a Miami Dolphins fan from Washington, came up with the idea during "Kindness Week" at his school. He made custom keychains to raise money and help alleviate the debt of his fellow classmates. In total, Ching raised more than $4,000 and eliminated lunch debt at his and six other area schools.
It caught the attention of thousands around the country and the act of kindness landed Ching on national news show. In addition to a new laptop from the hosts, Ching was surprised by a visit from Dolphins linebacker Jerome Baker. Baker gifted Ching a customized jersey and provided him and his family with tickets to a Dolphins game during the 2020 season.
DCC Less Than Two Weeks Away
The Dolphins Cancer Challenge is less than two weeks away, but there's still time to support the cause.
On Feb. 29, over 3,400 people will take part in the DCC X. Bike rides will take place all over South Florida from Boca Raton to Miami along with a 5K at Hard Rock Stadium.
The marquee initiative of the Dolphins Foundation has been dedicated to fighting cancer since 2010. More than $32 million has been raised since 2010, with all the proceeds going to cancer research at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.
You can still register for the events or donate to the cause at the Dolphins Cancer Challenge website.
