November 14, 1993: Don Shula Wins No. 325 in Philadelphia and Becomes the Winningest Coach in NFL History

On an unseasonably warm Sunday in Philadelphia on November 14, 1993, the Miami Dolphins beat the Eagles 19-14, and head coach Don Shula became the winningest coach in National Football League history.

It was victory number 325 of his long career, moving him past George Halas, the legendary Chicago Bears founder and coach who had held the record for decades.

The milestone did not come easy. Miami lost starting quarterback Scott Mitchell during the game, and with the season's injuries piling up, a third-string quarterback named Doug Pederson, who had never thrown a regular season pass, played much of the second half. Miami trailed 14-13 and even fumbled away a chance at the Eagles' 1-yard line. But the Dolphins defense held on, Miami pulled ahead, and Philadelphia's final drive started at its own 1-yard line with just 25 seconds left. Two short completions later, the clock ran out.

Dolphins offensive linemen Keith Sims and Richmond Webb led a group of players who hoisted Shula onto their shoulders for a victory ride off the field.

Shula kept coaching through the 1995 season and finished with 347 wins, still the NFL record. He won two Super Bowls with Miami, including the perfect 1972 season, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Pederson, the backup who helped deliver No. 325, later coached the Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl title of his own.

Sam's Take: 325 wins? I've hidden about 325 acorns in John's yard and I can only find 12 of them! Coach Shula did it the steady way, one game at a time, even with a third-string quarterback. I'm tipping my SIS-SAM helmet and saving a bowl of beer nuts for the coach. Win number 326 goes to snacks!