Don Shula - Dolphins Return To Super Bowl In 1984

Shula's Dolphins capped off the 1984 season with a return visit to the Super Bowl, where they lost, 38-16, to the San Francisco 49ers. For the next eleven seasons, under Shula's direction, the Dolphins enjoyed breakeven or winning seasons every year except 1988 when they finished with a record of 6-10. Finally in 1996, Shula at the age of sixty-six retired from professional football, leaving behind the winningest record in NFL coaching history. Only two years later, in his first year of eligibility, Shula was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. At the induction ceremonies, Shula was formally presented by sons David and Michael, both of whom have spent time as coaches in the NFL.

Shula's first wife, Dorothy, died of cancer in 1990, and in 1993, he married Mary Anne Stephens. The two live in the Miami area, where Shula concentrates most of his time today on running Shula Enterprises, a holding company for his restaurant chain. Looking back on his pro coaching career, Shula told the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremonies: "It's a wonderful tribute to be here, and I'm very proud of it. There have been so many memories, so many wonderful people I've been privileged to work with. I'm grateful I've had the opportunity to achieve the things I set out to do."