COACHING
Mike Shula brings his vast knowledge and experience of the quarterback position to the Panthers, having successfully played and coached it. A veteran of 23 years in coaching, including 19 as an NFL assistant and four as a college head coach, Shula spent the last four seasons as the quarterbacks coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
With Jacksonville, Shula oversaw David Garrard's development from becoming a full-time starter in 2007 to making the Pro Bowl in 2009. In Shula's first year with the Jaguars, Garrard ranked third in the NFL with a 102.2 passer rating - an almost 23-point improvement from the previous season - threw an NFL-low three interceptions and established a team record with a 64.0 completion percentage.
After posting career highs for attempts (535), completions (335) and yards (3,620) in 2008, Garrard capped the 2009 campaign with a Pro Bowl appearance. Last year under Shula's guidance, Garrard came through in the clutch by finishing second in the NFL with a fourth-quarter passer rating of 108.3 and directing five game-winning drives.
From 2003-06, Shula compiled a 26-23 record as head coach at Alabama and led the Crimson Tide to three consecutive bowl games. While at Alabama, he mentored quarterback Brodie Croyle, who holds school career records for attempts, completions and yards and was a third-round draft choice by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2006.
Before returning to his alma mater as head coach, Shula coached the Miami Dolphins' quarterbacks for three seasons from 2000-02. It marked his second stint with the team, previously serving as a coaching assistant for two years from 1991-92. During Shula's tenure as Dolphins quarterbacks coach, Jay Fiedler became just the second quarterback in franchise history to pass for more than 3,000 yards with 3,290 in 2001.
In addition to Shula's work as a quarterbacks coach, he presided over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' offense as offensive coordinator for four seasons from 1996-99. The Buccaneers reached the playoffs in two of Shula's four years, advancing to the NFC Championship in 1999. Shula helped quarterback Trent Dilfer earn Pro Bowl honors in 1997 when he set then-team records for touchdowns and most consecutive pass attempts without an interception.
Shula joined the Buccaneers from the Chicago Bears, where he handled tight ends for three seasons from 1993-95. He broke into coaching as an offensive assistant for Tampa Bay in 1988 and was promoted to quarterbacks coach in 1990. As the Buccaneers' quarterbacks coach, Shula tutored Vinny Testaverde.
PLAYING AND PERSONAL
A two-time All-Southeastern Conference choice at quarterback for Alabama from 1983-86, Shula completed 298-of-552 passes for 3,881 yards and 33 touchdowns with 30 interceptions and finished his career with a 32-15-1 record as a starter. He was selected by Tampa Bay in the 12th round of the 1987 NFL Draft and spent part of the season on the Buccaneers' roster.
Shula graduated from Alabama with a degree in labor relations. He and his wife, Shari, have three daughters: Sam, Brooke and Ryan. Shula is the son of legendary NFL head coach Don Shula of the Baltimore Colts and Miami Dolphins and the brother of former Cincinnati Bengals head coach Dave Shula.
HISTORY
Quarterback: Alabama 1983-86. Pro quarterback: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1987. College coach: Alabama 2003-06 (head coach). Pro coach: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1988-90, 1996-99, Miami Dolphins 1991-92, 2000-02, Chicago Bears 1993-95, Jacksonville Jaguars 2007-10, joined Panthers in 2011.
COACHING
Mike Shula brings his vast knowledge and experience of the quarterback position to the Panthers, having successfully played and coached it. A veteran of 23 years in coaching, including 19 as an NFL assistant and four as a college head coach, Shula spent the last four seasons as the quarterbacks coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
With Jacksonville, Shula oversaw David Garrard's development from becoming a full-time starter in 2007 to making the Pro Bowl in 2009. In Shula's first year with the Jaguars, Garrard ranked third in the NFL with a 102.2 passer rating - an almost 23-point improvement from the previous season - threw an NFL-low three interceptions and established a team record with a 64.0 completion percentage.
After posting career highs for attempts (535), completions (335) and yards (3,620) in 2008, Garrard capped the 2009 campaign with a Pro Bowl appearance. Last year under Shula's guidance, Garrard came through in the clutch by finishing second in the NFL with a fourth-quarter passer rating of 108.3 and directing five game-winning drives.
From 2003-06, Shula compiled a 26-23 record as head coach at Alabama and led the Crimson Tide to three consecutive bowl games. While at Alabama, he mentored quarterback Brodie Croyle, who holds school career records for attempts, completions and yards and was a third-round draft choice by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2006.
Before returning to his alma mater as head coach, Shula coached the Miami Dolphins' quarterbacks for three seasons from 2000-02. It marked his second stint with the team, previously serving as a coaching assistant for two years from 1991-92. During Shula's tenure as Dolphins quarterbacks coach, Jay Fiedler became just the second quarterback in franchise history to pass for more than 3,000 yards with 3,290 in 2001.
In addition to Shula's work as a quarterbacks coach, he presided over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' offense as offensive coordinator for four seasons from 1996-99. The Buccaneers reached the playoffs in two of Shula's four years, advancing to the NFC Championship in 1999. Shula helped quarterback Trent Dilfer earn Pro Bowl honors in 1997 when he set then-team records for touchdowns and most consecutive pass attempts without an interception.
Shula joined the Buccaneers from the Chicago Bears, where he handled tight ends for three seasons from 1993-95. He broke into coaching as an offensive assistant for Tampa Bay in 1988 and was promoted to quarterbacks coach in 1990. As the Buccaneers' quarterbacks coach, Shula tutored Vinny Testaverde.
PLAYING AND PERSONAL
A two-time All-Southeastern Conference choice at quarterback for Alabama from 1983-86, Shula completed 298-of-552 passes for 3,881 yards and 33 touchdowns with 30 interceptions and finished his career with a 32-15-1 record as a starter. He was selected by Tampa Bay in the 12th round of the 1987 NFL Draft and spent part of the season on the Buccaneers' roster.
Shula graduated from Alabama with a degree in labor relations. He and his wife, Shari, have three daughters: Sam, Brooke and Ryan. Shula is the son of legendary NFL head coach Don Shula of the Baltimore Colts and Miami Dolphins and the brother of former Cincinnati Bengals head coach Dave Shula.
HISTORY
Quarterback: Alabama 1983-86. Pro quarterback: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1987. College coach: Alabama 2003-06 (head coach). Pro coach: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1988-90, 1996-99, Miami Dolphins 1991-92, 2000-02, Chicago Bears 1993-95, Jacksonville Jaguars 2007-10, joined Panthers in 2011.
