Howard Schnellenberger remembered for his football vision at Miami, FAU
(AP Photo/Joel Auerbach)MIAMI – Howard Schnellenberger was a pipe smoker with a push-broom mustache and gruff baritone, and he paired his grandiloquent manner with grandiose visions for football at Miami, Louisville and Florida Atlantic that caused snickers. He revived the sport at Miami and Louisville and started the program at Florida Atlantic during a coaching career that spanned a half century. He then founded the program at Florida Atlantic and retired as coach after 11 seasons highlighted by back-to-back bowl victories. That University of Miami team finished No. AdAt Miami, Schnellenberger took over in 1979 amid debate about whether the moribund program should fold.
From Kobe to Maradona, a year of staggering losses in sports
FILE - In this Nov. 14, 1993, file photo, Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula is carried on his team's shoulders after his 325th victory, against the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia. Not long after came a seismic jolt, the helicopter crash of Kobe Bryant in the fog-shrouded California hills that reverberated across sports and across continents. Football lost a big piece of its heart: Don Shula, Gale Sayers, Paul Hornung, Bobby Mitchell. The losses, of course, came against a backdrop of a pandemic, its number of fatalities rolled out daily on TV screens. Kurt Thomas in 1978 became the first U.S. male gymnast to win a world title but lost an Olympic shot in 1980 because of the boycott.
Sports in 2020: Disruptions aplenty, only constant was loss
FILE - In this Aug. 6, 2020, file photo, the Olympic rings for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 pass by on a barge by tugboats off the Odaiba Marine Park in Tokyo. Tokyo Olympic officials said Thursday, Dec. 24, they have reached a basic agreement with all 68 domestic sponsors to extend their contracts into next year to support the postponed Games. Facing increasingly long odds, some mega-events — the Olympics, March Madness, the Boston Marathon and Wimbledon — pushed the starting line into 2021. … Continue to push (against) everything that’s the opposite of love.”If only for a moment, the pandemic receded into the background. “If we can continue to do that, all of us,” James concluded, “America would be a much better place.”
Final goodbye: Recalling influential people who died in 2020
The world also said goodbye to U.S. Rep. John Lewis, a lion of the civil rights movement who died in July. Other former political figures who died this year include Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak, New York Mayor David Dinkins, Arizona Gov. Here is a roll call of some influential figures who died in 2020 (cause of death cited for younger people, if available):___JANUARY___David Stern, 77. The guitarist who supplied the scratching, seething sound that fueled the highly influential British punk band Gang of Four. He fused African rhythms with funk to become one of the most influential musicians in world dance music.
Jake Scott, former Miami safety, Super Bowl MVP, dies at 75
Scott, the star safety who was the most valuable player in the Super Bowl that completed the Dolphins 1972 perfect season, died Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020, in Atlanta. Scott played in three consecutive Super Bowls, won back-to-back championship rings and made the Pro Bowl five years in a row with Miami. At Georgia, Scott was an All-American and the Southeastern Conference Player of the Year in 1968. Shula suspended Scott and then traded him to the Redskins for safety Bryant Salter, who lasted only one season. He grew up in Athens, Georgia, and was recruited as a receiver by Dooley, who then moved Scott to safety.
Former Dolphins, Ohio State assistant coach George Hill dies at 87
MIAMI – George Hill, an assistant coach for Woody Hayes, Don Shula and Jimmy Johnson, has died at age 87. The Miami Dolphins confirmed Hill’s death this week. Hill, an Ohio native, was the Ohio State defensive coordinator under Hayes for eight years in the 1970s. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of George Hill. pic.twitter.com/wc5PyWN8Do — Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) November 11, 2020
Check out the Don Shula patch that will be on the Dolphins uniforms
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. Don Shulas name will be prominent on the Miami Dolphins uniforms in 2020 as will his record win total. The team on Thursday revealed the commemorative jersey patch to honor the legendary coach, who died May 4. The patch is scheduled to first be worn in the regular-season opener Sept. 13 against the New England Patriots. Don Shulas lasting impact on the Miami Dolphins, NFL and South Florida community is immeasurable, team owner Stephen Ross said in a statement. Coaches and other personnel will also wear a pin with the Don Shula patch design throughout the year.
Dolphins' Tagovailoa is a playful, willing backup -- for now
MIAMI Tua Tagovailoa was easy to identify Thursday even though he wore teammate Ryan Fitzpatrick's jersey and a mask to his first media session of training camp. Tagovailoa is happy to keep a low profile befitting his rookie status, even though he's widely hailed as the Miami Dolphins' future franchise quarterback. A former star at Alabama, Tagovailoa knows how to deal with the pressure of great expectations. But Tagovailoa will be difficult to overlook because he's full of potential and personality. As far as how I feel right now, everything is going well.That's what the Dolphins want to hear.
Dolphins fans invited to celebrate Don Shula
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. Miami Dolphins fans will have a chance to pay tribute to Don Shula next week in a socially distanced kind of way, of course. Fans are invited to drive into Hard Rock Stadium to view the Don Shula statue on Friday May 22 (2-7 p.m.) and Saturday May 23 (10-4 p.m.). That will include a separate public memorial at Hard Rock Stadium once it is deemed safe for large scale events, the Dolphins say. Cars will be able to enter through Gate 5 before heading to the East Gate near the Don Shula statue. pic.twitter.com/KnsXNE6J8Q Hard Rock Stadium (@HardRockStadium) May 15, 2020
Don Shula was a legend in the 305
Maraya Rivera Kendall, Miami, Florida 10:32 p.m. Monday, May 11Don Shula was a legend in the 305Amid the non-stop coronavirus pandemic coverage, the breaking news in South Florida shifted a bit last week to retired Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula, who, for more than 25 years created a dynamic football culture in Miami. The winningest coach in NFL history passed away May 4 at the age of 90. Shula is mostly known for his back-to-back win Superbowl championships with the Miami Dolphins in 1972 and 1973. During the 1972 season, Shula led the Miami Dolphins to a perfect season, 17-0. Shula won the Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year Award four times, more than any other coach.
themiamihurricane.comPrivate funeral held for Miami Dolphins’ Hall of Fame coach Don Shula
MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – The family of the legendary coach Don Shula held a private service on Friday at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. There was a procession from Miami Beach to Our Lady of Mercy Cemetery in Doral. Shula, who with 347 career wins had more than any other NFL coach in history, died on Monday at his Indian Creek home. Shula was most loved in South Florida for coaching the 1972 Miami Dolphins to a perfect 17-0 record season. After 26 years of coaching the Miami Dolphins, he retired in 1996.
Mark Trowbridge: Thanks Coach Shula!
This milestone grand opening for the Gables was worthy of a celebration, highlighted and further punctuated by the arrival of Coach Shula. Not only was Coach Shulas name on the side of the building (in Coral Gables! As I walked in, I bumped into Nat Moore, a Gator Great, friend of Coach Shulas, former player and of course, a Dolphin Ring of Honor inductee. This was how things went down when Coach Shula was around. It is hard to believe Coach Shula wont be here in 2022 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Perfect Time.
communitynewspapers.comBack in 1995, ESPN Explained Just How Insane Don Shula's Winning Record Was
Legendary Miami Dolphins Hall of Fame coach Don Shula died yesterday at the age of 90. "Don Shula was the patriarch of the Miami Dolphins for 50 years," the team said in a statement. But on a national level, Shula will forever be noted as one thing: the winningest NFL coach of all time. It's almost impossible to imagine someone other than Belichick coming close to Shula's record. Rest in peace, Don Shula, Miami sports legend.
browardpalmbeach.comBack in 1995, ESPN Explained Just How Insane Don Shula's Winning Record Was
Legendary Miami Dolphins Hall of Fame coach Don Shula died yesterday at the age of 90. "Don Shula was the patriarch of the Miami Dolphins for 50 years," the team said in a statement. But on a national level, Shula will forever be noted as one thing: the winningest NFL coach of all time. It's almost impossible to imagine someone other than Belichick coming close to Shula's record. Rest in peace, Don Shula, Miami sports legend.
miaminewtimes.comDon Shula, winningest coach in NFL history, dies at 90
Former Miami Dolphins head coach Don Shula on the Red Carpet at the 2017 NFL Honors on February 04, 2017, at the Wortham Theater Center in Houston, Texas. Don Shula, the winningest coach in NFL history and Hall of Fame inductee, died Monday morning, according to the Miami Dolphins. "Don Shula was the patriarch of the Miami Dolphins for 50 years," the team said in a statement. Mary Anne Shula said Sunday that Shula had been admitted to the hospital "due to fluid retention and sleep apnea." Shula, who coached the Dolphins from 19701995, led the team the only perfect season in NFL history in 1972.
cnbc.comDon Shula and Miami Dolphins alumni team up to fight hunger during coronavirus pandemic
MIAMI – Legendary Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula and former players John Offerdahl, Kim Bokamper and Bob Brudzinski have teamed up to deliver free meals to people in need during the coronavirus pandemic. Shula, the Hall of Fame former coach, owns the Shula Restaurant franchise, which includes dozens of restaurants around the country, and the Shula’s Hotel and Golf Club in Miami Lakes. Offerdahl, a retired linebacker, owns Offerdahl’s Off-The-Grill, which has locations in Fort Lauderdale, Weston, Hollywood and Lighthouse Point. Bokamper, a retired linebacker and defensive end, owns the Bokamper’s Sports Bar & Grill, which has locations in Fort Lauderdale, Miramar, Plantation, Naples, Estero and Las Olas. Brudzinski, also a retired linebacker, owns the Bru’s Room Sports Grill, which has locations in Coral Springs, Coconut Creek, Sunrise, Bird Road, Deerfield Beach, Pembroke Pines, Royal Palm Beach and Delray Beach.
Don Shula among 20 coaching finalists for NFL's All-Time team
Associated PressNEW YORK - Former Miami Dolphins head coach and Hall of Fame legend Don Shula is among the 20 coaching finalists for the NFL's All-Time Team. The league announced the finalists Wednesday, and 10 of them will make the team. With 326 victories in his 33-year career, Shula holds the NFL record for most head coaching wins. Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1997, Shula was the mastermind of the Dolphins "Perfect Season" in 1972 and led Miami to two Super Bowl wins. After seven seasons with the Baltimore Colts, Shula arrived in Miami in 1970 and immediately led the Dolphins to a 10-4 record.