Yesterday, a local hero died who was a staple in the NFL for years, Don Shula -  he was 90.  Shula was a graduate of John Carroll University in Cleveland and is the winningest coach in the history of the NFL with 347.  Also two Superbowl wins, and the only coach to finish off a perfect season in NFL history in 1972 with the Dolphins.  He's the benchmark for an era that is slipping away.

He was Coach Shula to his players and to all of us.  A coach, a mentor, a father, an icon.  I'm not so sure this really exists to this degree anymore in sports at this high level.  Oh sure, there are great coaches like Bell Belichick who will pass Shula soon for the all-time record in wins.  But as great as Belichick is, he will be viewed differently than Shula. 

Times are different.  Shula coached men who wanted to be coached, wanted glory, and history. They were men that were children of depression-era parents.  Belichick coaches millionaires that want branding, fame and contracts none of us can imagine.  It's just so incredibly different.  But the real point is, Shula was what coaches were supposed to be - then. Leaders of men that wanted to win, and to be part of team.  His former players loved him, and many are making their feelings known today.  His passing reminded me a couple stories.

I am Facebook friends of one of my coaches, "Coach Ludwig" or just "coach, " as I played football and basketball for him in school.  I have seen him a couple of times in person over the years on a couple of golf courses, and calling him coach is as normal as anything for me, even 40 plus years later.  He was my coach, he still is my coach.  Coaches then were cut from the same cloth as Shula. You talked with them about things outside of the game that maybe you wouldn't with even your own parents, or friends sometimes.  And I would do the same today if he were sitting here with me right now. 

I also remember one time a number of years ago I was at a high school football game and I saw a man sitting with his wife watching the game.  I hadn't seen him since I was 14, when I pitched for him in a summer baseball league.  I walked up and asked if he was "Coach Pierce."   He said yes....sort of.  I introduced myself to him and talked for a few minutes and it was very nice, as he remembered me.  Later, his wife walked up to me separately and said that me calling him "coach"  made his day, as he hadn't coached, or been called coach for many years.  I said, well, that's who he is.  We laughed, and hugged, and it was nice.

I am not sure we still feel the same way about coaches in many respects.  I'm not sure the working prototype of coaches is the same. I'm not sure big athletes want to be coached the same way.  I sincerely hope there are, as coaches can be a valuable asset to so many, like me -  who needed leaders at a tough time in my life.  But I am sure that the pressure to win probably trumps everything today.  But my hope would be there are still some from the same mold as Shula.

Thanks, Coach. Well done.  You will be missed.