Don Shula
Everyone's a Coach
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.
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.
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.