The Miami Dolphins and NFL are mourning the loss of legendary head coach Don Shula, with the Dolphins offering a tribute and their condolences to his family in the wake of the news.
The Dolphins confirm that legendary coach Don Shula has died at the age of 90. RIP to a legend and great man. pic.twitter.com/sK0A0vgD1g
— Will Manso (@WillManso) May 4, 2020
Shula died at the age of 90, having become the all-time winningest coach in NFL history during his 26 seasons in Miami. He compiled a 328-156-6 regular season record over 33 NFL seasons and led the Dolphins to back-to-back Super Bowl titles in 1972 and 1973.
Prior to joining the Dolphins in 1970, Shula had served as head coach of the Baltimore Colts, where his teams were 71-23-4 in his seven seasons from 1963 to 1969.
When Shula joined the Dolphins in 1970, it was under a cloud of controversy that resulted in the Dolphins losing a first-round pick for alleged tampering.
That investment more than paid off, with the Dolphins reaching the postseason 16 times in his 26 seasons, including each of his first five years.
Shula took over a Dolphins team that had gone 3-10-1 in 1969 and immediately reversed course with a 10-4 record and playoff berth the following year.
In 1972, Shula’s Dolphins achieved football immortality by going 17-0 and winning the franchise’s first Super Bowl. That effort marked the first time ever that an NFL team had finished a season undefeated and remains a record that has yet to be equaled.
Shula retired after the 1995 season, with the coaching stability he established soon fading. Over the past 25 seasons, 11 men have served in that role for the Dolphins, including three interim coaches.
