Mike Shanahan was born in Oak Park, Ill.
Shanahan was 28-year-old up-and-comer when he was hired as offensive coordinator at Florida -- after one season holding the same post at the University of Minnesota -- by Charley Pell in 1980, the year after the Gators went 0-10-1.
With Shanahan calling the plays, UF went 8-4 that season, capped by a 35-20 defeat of Maryland in the Tangerine Bowl. Shanahan stayed at Florida for nearly four years, leaving after the '83 season to become offensive coordinator of the Denver Broncos under Dan Reeves.
Things worked out pretty good for "Shanny" from there. As in three Super Bowl rings; one as offensive coordinator for Steve Young and the '94 San Francisco 49ers and two more as head coach of Joh Elway and the Denver Broncos.
He'll celebrate his 60th birthday today as head coach of Robert Griffin III and the Washington Redskins.
