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 The
Coach Speaks
A top-ranked motivational
speaker, Don Shula enjoys sharing the secrets of success he has learned
over a lifetime of meeting challenges, as sportsman and businessman. His
speech "You Can Inspire Anyone to Be a Winner" expands on the principles
of goal-setting, motivation, teamwork and honesty that are the basis of
EVERYONE'S A COACH, the book Don Shula co-wrote with Ken Blanchard.
 Shula
Career Highlights
Player / Coach:
Don Shula began his football career in fifth
grade. He went on to star at Harvey High School and John Carroll
University. Don was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 1951. He was traded
to the Baltimore Colts in 1953 and ended his playing career with the
Washington Redskins in 1959. Shula became an assistant coach with the
Detroit Lions in 1960. In 1963, he was named head coach of the Colts -- at
33, the youngest coach in the NFL. In 1970, Shula became head coach of the
Miami Dolphins, Together, the team and the man would go on to make
football history.
 1972:
The Perfect Season: Over his
unparalleled career, Don Shula has had honors heaped upon him; he's
savored many victories and enjoyed many moments of glory, but one towers
above the rest: 1972, the season of perfection. That year Shula led the
Miami Dolphins to the first and to this day, the only, perfect season in
NFL history.
 The
Best Ever
On November 14, 1993, Coach Shula was
carried off the field -- and into the history books. The Dolphins' 19-14
win over the Eagles at Philadelphia's Veterans Stadium broke the
long-standing record 324 wins set by George Halas. Don Shula went on to
achieve a total of 347 career wins, and the best winning percentage of any
professional team from 1970 to 1996, truly making him the winningest coach
in football history.
 Hall
of Fame
It was no surprise that Don Shula was
inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame by a unanimous vote in his
first year of eligibility. This ultimate honor in football was a crowning
moment for the Coach. On July 26, 1997, Don Shula's sons Dave and Mike did
the honors in Canton, Ohio, creating yet another Shula record: The
Brothers Shula were the first pair ever to present a Hall of Famer for
induction.
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