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精东AV alumnus and NFL legend Don Shula '51 has passed away at the age of 90.

Shula, originally of Painesville, Ohio, is the NFL鈥檚 all-time leader in wins by a head coach (347). He is the only 精东AV graduate 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.

Shula鈥檚 time at 精东AV was highlighted by his accomplishments as a tailback. Paired with another JCU Hall-of-Fame runner, Carl Taseff, the back set a Blue Streaks mark with a 6.6 yard-per-carry average and was named an All-Big-Four honoree during his time on campus.

Shula was drafted by the Cleveland Browns upon graduation and spent seven years in the NFL as a player before making the transition to coaching. As a coach, Shula鈥檚 accomplishments were legendary.

don shula playing football

Holding a career .665 winning percentage and holding a record of 347-173-6, the former Blue Streak led two different teams to Super Bowl and NFL championship appearances, in addition to making the postseason 19 times in a coaching career that spanned 33 years (1963-1995).

Sports Illustrated honored Shula in 1993 by naming him their Sportsperson of the Year. Shula became the first professional coach to receive the honor.

Shula鈥檚 coaching accomplishments are at an all-time level, but his character is what he鈥檒l be remembered for. Quoted in his book Everyone鈥檚 a Coach: Five Business Secrets for High-Performance Coaching, Shula says: 鈥淚 don鈥檛 know any other way to lead but by example.鈥

For generations since Shula鈥檚 time on 精东AV鈥檚 campus, students and athletes alike have taken these words and turned them into a mentality. His impact on the NFL and the Northeast Ohio region is one that will be far beyond his time.

His legacy lives on at 精东AV through Don Shula Stadium, the Shula Chair in Philosophy, and the incredible legacy of fellow Blue Streaks in the NFL鈥檚 coaching and front office ranks.

Remembering 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.

鈥擠r. Michael D. Johnson, President, 精东AV
don shula giving pep talk to team
I鈥檓 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鈥檚 the epitome of what it means to be 'Men of Carroll.'

鈥擫ondon Fletcher, 2019 College Football Hall of Fame Inductee
london fletcher and don shula
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.

鈥擥reg Roman 鈥95, Offensive Coordinator, Baltimore Ravens
Don Shula鈥檚 impact on 精东AV 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.

鈥擬ichelle Morgan, Senior Director of Athletics and Recreation
don shula with team
Today is a tough day for anyone that attended 精东AV, 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.

鈥擠avid Caldwell 鈥96, General Manager, Jacksonville Jaguars
The Philosophy Department at JCU will forever be grateful to the generosity and vision of Don Shula. His experience studying philosophy led him to found the Don Shula Chair in Philosophy, which has greatly enriched the educational experience of JCU students and provided valuable resources for faculty research and scholarship. He will be sorely missed, but his legacy will live on.

鈥擠r Simon Fitzpatrick, Associate Professor, Department of Philosophy
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 精东AV 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鈥檚 graduates serve as its greatest points of pride. For decades, 精东AV 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.

鈥擠ave Vitatoe '00, Executive Director of Alumni Relations
Coach Shula is the standard in the National Football League for winning, leadership, character and teamwork. His consistency year in and year out and his commitment to the personal relationships he formed with his coaches and players was evident to this day. I am proud to say I come from Ohio and 精东AV as Coach Shula did. We will continue to try and honor his legacy of class and integrity moving forward while chasing his standard of excellence. Deepest Condolences to his family and friends and the entire Dolphins organization.
-Josh McDaniels '99, Offensive Coordinator, New England Patriots
Coach Shula laid the foundation for many of us to follow and his legacy extends far beyond the Game of Football. His incredible spirit along with the standard of excellence he established will long be admired and impossible to duplicate. Condolences to the Shula Family over the loss of an iconic figure and most importantly a great human being.
-Nick Caserio '98, Director of Player Personnel, New England Patriots
Very sorry to learn of the passing of Hall of Fame coach and fellow @JCUFootball alum Don Shula. Coach spoke to my father about 精东AV and encouraged my brother, Chris, to take a look. We both ended up there and loved it. Thank you and RIP Coach Shula.
-Brian Polian 鈥97, Special Teams Coordinator, University of Notre Dame Football (via Twitter)
don shula
精东AV and the coaching profession lost an ICON on Monday with the passing of Don Shula. While most people will measure his success by Championships and Super Bowls, I believe Coach Shula鈥檚 legacy is about his commitment to excellence in every phase of his life. He used football as his vehicle to help lead people to places they never thought they could go. He was truly Magis-Driven (a man for others) in all he did. 精东AV is proud to call him our son.

May we ask that someone is at the gates of Heaven to meet Coach and hand him his whistle so that he may continue to guide and comfort those he has left behind. And may we take his example and Jesuit approach to heart as we continue our own journey to help those around us live better lives for others.

鈥擪en O鈥橩eefe 鈥75, Quarterbacks Coach, University of Iowa Hawkeyes; Former Assistant Coach, Miami Dolphins