Teflon Don Absorbing Criticism As Dolphins Flounder, Many Wonder If Jimmy Johnson’s Time Has Come

Behind the front desk at Don Shula’s Hotel hangs a framed photograph of the Miami Dolphins coach and Jimmy Johnson.

Shula is grinning. It’s an old photo.

There were few smiles Monday from Shula, whose underachieving, unraveling Dolphins have lost three games in a row. The preseason AFC favorites are 6-6 with a month of tough games to go, beginning Sunday against Atlanta.

While the legion of Shula detractors increases with each loss, Johnson tends to his 42-foot boat and 500-gallon fish tank in the Florida Keys, wondering the same thing as everyone else:

Will this shambles of a season push into retirement the coach with the most victories in NFL history?

Johnson has made it clear he wants the Dolphins job. And a growing number of fans and critics say he should get it.

This team was supposed to give Shula his best shot at a Super Bowl championship since Miami’s last title in 1973. Owner Wayne Huizenga opened his checkbook last off-season, and Shula spent more than $18 million in signing bonuses to fill his roster with star power.

Expectations rose when Miami started 4-0. Then came a string of losses, followed by an ugly backlash - players shouting at coaches and literally pointing fingers on the sideline.

Huizenga has said he wants to see how the team finishes and hasn’t considered replacing Shula, whose contract runs through 1996. But the losing streak could test Huizenga’s relationship with the 65-year-old coach, according to a source close to the Dolphins owner.

“He’s a big Shula fan. He likes him a lot,” said the source, who asked to remain unidentified. “But I also think Wayne made an investment. Wayne is a businessman. He got the personnel Don asked him to get, and guess what? They’re not winning. So you figure it out.”

Does Shula deserve the blame for his team’s failure to meet expectations?

“It’s my ultimate responsibility,” he said at his weekly Monday news conference. “I’ve said that the buck stops here, and I take full responsibility for everything that’s happening.”

Defense coach Tom Olivadotti also provides a scapegoat. His unit has been left reeling by consecutive losses to New England (34-17), San Francisco (44-20) and Indianapolis (36-28).

But Shula - long known as Teflon Don because of his knack for deflecting criticism - finds his work being second-guessed like never before.

Miami Herald sports editor Edwin Pope, always a staunch supporter, wondered why he chooses to go on.

Shula now seems to get blamed for everything that goes wrong. When Eric Green drops a pass, it’s the coach’s fault. When Gene Atkins misses a tackle, it’s his fault. When traffic backs up on the Don Shula Expressway, it’s the coach’s fault.

Even his age has become an issue.

But criticism of the Dolphins coaching staff extends beyond fans and the media. Following Sunday’s loss, Miami players complained about a lack of preparation and a failure to alter strategy after falling behind 24-0. The Dolphins were called for 13 penalties and allowed four sacks, breakdowns uncharacteristic of a Shula-coached team.

Receiver Irving Fryar said Shula will bear the brunt of the blame for the trouble, justified or not.

“He’s the one responsible for us,” Fryar said. “When God comes down and looks at a church, he holds the pastor accountable for what’s happening to the flock.

“He’s our pastor. He’s the one that’s leading us, and we’re the sheep. It’s not fair, because we’re the ones that are playing. But a head coach has that responsibility.”

“I know they’re upset. I’m upset,” Shula said. “Everybody’s upset. The thing I can’t do is let it drag me down. I’ve got to work hard to get this team back up so they’re ready for the game this week.”

As Shula spoke, his voice broke.