Don Shula, arguably the most famous graduate of John Carroll University, passed away this morning at the age of 90.

A member of the class of 1951 at John Carroll, Shula made his mark on a world wide stage as a head coach in the National Football League, but never forgot his roots. There is a football stadium on campus that bears his name, and the Don Shula Chair in Philosophy supports the John Carroll Philosophy Department by presenting programs of interest to philosophers and the general public.

A product of Painesville, Ohio, Shula is the NFL's all-time leader in wins by a head coach (347). He is the only John Carroll graduate currently enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Shula is survived by his wife, Mary Anne Stephens, and his five children: Dave, Donna, Sharon, Anne, and Mike.

The resume is impressive. Shula is the owner of a .665 winning percentage (347-173-6) in his career. He led two different teams to six Super Bowl appearances, claiming two Lombardi Trophies as NFL championships. In 33 seasons as a head coach, his teams qualified for postseason 19 times. Of those 33 seasons, he only had a losing record twice.

In 1993, Sports Illustrated named him as their Sportsperson of the Year - the first professional coach to receive the honor.

Shula's path to becoming the winningest coach in NFL history began with a career that almost did not get started at Painesville Harvey High School. The famous story was that Shula had not gone out for football because his mother Mary feared that he would get hurt and because he was sick. However, assistant football coach Don Martin, one of only two coaches at the school for its four sports, spotted Shula in a gym class and asked him why he hadn't gone out. Shula sheepishly replied that he was sick and didn't think the coaches would want him this late.

So Shula forged his mother's signature and was starting within a few weeks. He was the left halfback in the single-wing offense, which means he touched the ball the most and threw most of the passes.

Shula the moved on to John Carroll where he was a running back for the Blue Streaks. Paired with Carl Taseff, the two future Hall of Famers were part of a devastating offensive attack that produced some of the greatest victories in school history, including one over mighty Syracuse in 1950. Shula set a JCU mark by averaging 6.6 yards per carry, propelling him as an All-Big Four choice.

He was eventually drafted by the Cleveland Browns and spent seven seasons as a player in the NFL. 

Shula would become a head coach for the first time in 1963 for the Baltimore Colts, and after making one Super Bowl appearance, was hired as head coach of the Miami Dolphins in 1970. His illustrious career would move him past the legendary George Halas with victory number 325 on November 14, 1993 -- a 19-14 win over Philadelphia. On that day, a practice squad quarterback named Doug Pederson was elevated to start the game for an injured Scott Mitchell and led the Dolphins to the historic win. That same Doug Pederson would lead the Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl win in 2018.

John Carroll's very own Don Shula is still the bar which most coaches are measured. In a sports world where longevity, character and a high level of consistent success are rare qualities, Shula's accomplishments remain impactful. 

In his book Everyone's a Coach: Five Business Secrets For High-Performance Coaching, Shula makes the powerful statement: "I don't know any other way to lead but by example."

The example Shula set at both John Carroll and in the NFL is one for the ages.


What They Are Saying About Don Shula

"Today, we mourn the loss of one of the finest coaches in the history of football, Don Shula, a member of the Class of 1951.

He will be remembered by most for his Hall of Fame NFL coaching career. But his impact on our community cannot be overlooked. He set a high standard for future JCU alumni looking to play, coach, or work in the NFL. Today, Don Shula Stadium and the Shula Chair in Philosophy stand as clear reminders of the man who never forgot his roots.

Our condolences go out to his family, along with the thanks of a community grateful for his generosity and example."

—Dr. Michael D. Johnson, President, John Carroll University 
 
"I'm saddened to hear about the passing of Coach Shula. He was a tremendous man on and off the field. He carried himself with grace and class. He's the epitome of what it means to be 'Men of Carroll."

—London Fletcher '97,  2019 College Football Hall of Fame Inductee 
 
"Don Shula was a legendary coach, a great man and an inspiration to us all. I had the pleasure and privilege of assisting him along with other teammates in 1994 when the basketball gym was dedicated in his name."

—Greg Roman '95, Offensive Coordinator, Baltimore Ravens 

"Don Shula's impact on John Carroll University and our athletics programs cannot be overstated. He took leadership skills from JCU to the NFL, where he set the standard for so many to follow. He will be missed, but certainly not forgotten as his name adorns our campus stadium and his legacy lives on through the character and competitiveness of our student-athletes and alumni."

—Michelle Morgan, Senior Director of Athletics and Recreation, John Carroll University
 
"Today is a tough day for anyone that attended John Carroll University, as well as everyone that had the pleasure of knowing Coach Shula. He was an incredibly inspirational leader and represented the university with class and excellence. He will forever be remembered for his many accomplishments, but most importantly, his commitment to helping the people around him will never be forgotten. My thoughts are with the Shula family, especially his wife, Mary Anne, during this very sad time. Rest in peace to the greatest coach to ever do it."

—David Caldwell '96, General Manager, Jacksonville Jaguars
 
"It has been said that Don Shula was one of the finest gentlemen in the game of football. I cannot think of a better representation of John Carroll University in the sports world. He was a winner, a champion, and he led with integrity on the field and in his life. He was also a champion of all things JCU, even serving as an honorary chair this year in celebration of our 100th anniversary of varsity athletics. Our stadium bears his name, but he was generous in his support of causes across our academy. I believe the outcomes of a university's graduates serve as its greatest points of pride. For decades, John Carroll University has been proud to call Don Shula an alumnus, and his legacy will forever be with us, continuing to impact future generations of students. On behalf of the JCU Alumni Association, I extend my deepest condolences to the Shula family."

—Dave Vitatoe '00, Executive Director of Alumni Relations, John Carroll University