The gatherings were so small and so informal, reporters formed a semicircle around Shula while he stood next to the podium head coach Ron Rivera had used earlier for his day-after press conference. The laid-back atmosphere was ideal for Shula, whose answers were usually deliberate and monotoned. He’d never be mistaken for getting too high or too low.
After wins, Shula would quickly deflect questions that implied his offense had everything figured out. After losses, he would search for silver linings. Those shared a common theme.
“We were just a little bit off,” Shula would say before adding, “but we’re close.