David Shula is a former American football player and coach. He was born on May 28, 1959, in Baltimore, Maryland, and is the son of legendary NFL coach Don Shula. David played college football at Dartmouth College, where he was a wide receiver. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Baltimore Colts in 1981 but was released before the start of the season.
David then joined the Miami Dolphins as a wide receiver and played for them from 1981 to 1982. He was primarily used as a special teams player and caught only one pass for 15 yards in his two seasons with the team. He was released by the Dolphins in 1983 and joined the Washington Redskins, where he played for one season before retiring from playing football.
After retiring from playing, David began his coaching career as an assistant coach with the Miami Dolphins in 1984. He then joined his father's coaching staff with the Miami Dolphins in 1985 and served as the team's wide receivers coach until 1988. In 1989, he was promoted to offensive coordinator, becoming the youngest coordinator in NFL history at the age of 29.
David left the Dolphins in 1991 to become the head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals. He was only 32 years old at the time, making him the youngest head coach in NFL history. However, his tenure with the Bengals was not successful, as he compiled a record of 19-52 in four seasons. He was fired by the Bengals in 1996 and has not coached in the NFL since.
David's coaching career also includes stints as an assistant coach with the Dallas Cowboys, Jacksonville Jaguars, and New York Giants. He was the offensive coordinator for the Cowboys in 1998 and 1999, helping the team win Super Bowl XXX in 1996.
Overall, David Shula's football career was not as successful as his father's, but he still made a significant impact on the sport. He was a talented player and coach who helped several teams achieve success during his career. Despite his struggles as a head coach, he remains a respected figure in the NFL and continues to be involved in the sport in various capacities.
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