Don Shula is the godfather of football in South Florida. There was some success by the Miami Hurricanes before Shula arrived as the second coach of the Dolphins in 1969 but without Shula and the success of the Dolphins in the early 1970s, the Hurricanes dynasty would not have existed.
The modern era of Miami Hurricanes football is considered to have commenced with the hiring of Howard Schnellenberger in 1979. Schnellenberger served two stints on Shula’s staff with the Dolphins are their offensive coordinator. The pro-style attack by Schnellenberger with the Hurricanes was innovative.
Shula adapted to his personnel.