Phinatics.com

Mike "Captain Crunch" Kolen was a linebacker for the Miami Dolphins from 1970-1977. He played on both Super Bowl Championship Dolphins teams, including the 1972 UNDEFEATED team (17-0). Mike played college football for Auburn University and was drafted to play for the NFL Miami Dolphins by legendary Coach Don Shula.

Phinatics.com gives Mr. Kolen a special "THANK YOU" for his participation.

Thanks also goes out to phinatics Danny Nelson and JH Garbo for their question contributions.

phinatics.com: Was there any game or week or moment or month when it hit you how good the ’72 team was?
Mike Kolen: It hit me in the month of Nov. '72 when sports pages across the country were writing about our winning streak and if it could continue.

phinatics.com: Did General Mills ever offer you a cereal endorsement?
Mike Kolen: No- Remember, I was a No-Name.

phinatics.com: Can you shed some light for the fans on why Jake Scott seemed to have a dislike for Coach Shula and still seems to be anti-Dolphins?
Mike Kolen: No, I can't. I just regret not seeing him at our reunions.

phinatics.com: Do you think the ’73 team was better than the ’72 team?
Mike Kolen: No - It's hard to beat perfection.

phinatics.com: Did you ever consider leaving the NFL to go to the World League?
Mike Kolen: No- I spoke with the Birmingham franchise, but never seriously considered going anywhere. I was proud to play my complete career with the Dolphins.

phinatics.com: What are some of the memories you have from the first time you and the team learned that Kiick, Csonka, and Warfield were leaving?
Mike Kolen: It was not a very positive feeling. These guys (K, C, & W) were very instrumental in our success. I hated to see them go, but professionally, respected their decision.

phinatics.com: What’s the real story behind the name “No Name Defense”? Was it something that bothered the players, or did they like it?
Mike Kolen: I can't recall who initially called us the No-Names. The players did not resent it. Even though most of our defense became well known, we prided ourselves in the team concept that emanated from being known as No-Names.

phinatics.com: Who came up with your nickname “Captain Crunch” and what is the story behind it?
Mike Kolen: Robert Margeson, a fellow linebacker at Auburn. He was a nickname specialist and nicknamed several other teammates. The cereal had become very popular, and he tagged me with it because I enjoyed crunching ball carriers.

phinatics.com: After 6 years of playing OLB in a 3-4, you were moved to ILB in a 4-3 scheme, was it a difficult change and what were your thoughts on the change?
Mike Kolen: I had played inside linebacker at Auburn, and thus, it wasn't that big of an adjustment. Unfortunately, I started getting knee injuries in the middle because those ugly offensive linemen came at me from all directions versus being on the outside.

phinatics.com: Do you keep in touch much with any former Dolphin teammates? If yes, who?
Mike Kolen: Not really that many. I stay in touch with Tim Foley more than others. We roomed together a number of years and became good friends. Jesse Powell, a fellow linebacker and great special team guy, stays in touch fairly often. All in all everyone is spread out and busy with their lives, and we don't see each other much except at our reunions.

phinatics.com: How great was it to attend the last reunion of the UNDEFEATED team?
Mike Kolen: It was our 25th, and it was a great weekend. We had a banquet Saturday night and looked at some old films. They introduced everyone on the field at halftime of the Monday night Buffalo/Dolphins game.

phinatics.com: Do the Dolphins plan to have any more reunions for the ’72 team?
Mike Kolen: I'm not sure. Huizenga was gracious to put on our 25th, and hopefully, he and the organization will continue the every 5 year trend.

phinatics.com: Any certain player come to mind when you think of the next member of the “No Name Defense” who might get elected to the Hall of Fame?
Mike Kolen: Manny Fernandez, Dick Anderson, Jake Scott, Vern Den Herder.

phinatics.com: I understand that you plan to attend the HOF induction for Nick Buoniconti; do you expect to see several members of the “No Name Defense” there?
Mike Kolen: I think there should be a number of Nick's teammates. Probably more defensive guys than offensive.

phinatics.com: Do you follow the Dolphins much anymore?
Mike Kolen: I really don't. It's not that I'm not interested. I just stay pretty busy and don't watch much TV.

phinatics.com: Did you ever consider a coaching career?
Mike Kolen: I never did seriously. I enjoyed the game, but I was never a real student of the game. I've always had a business orientation professionally. However, I still believe that a coach is one of the most influential positions in America, especially at the high school and college level.

phinatics.com: Who do you think was the toughest player you ever had to play against?
Mike Kolen: Snake Stabler - Perhaps he was called the Snake because you never knew his next move. He was a nemesis for me at Alabama and the Raiders.

phinatics.com: Can you share with us any memories of working for Coach Shula?
Mike Kolen: I have a lot of them. No room to mention them all. I guess the thing that stuck out to me was his leadership. His work ethic was unmatched. His car was at the training facility no matter how early I arrived or how late I departed. He was very goal oriented. The first day of his 1970 training camp he went to the board and wrote two words, "World Champions". Now remember the Dolphins best season to date was 3-11.

phinatics.com: What player did the ’72 defense look up to as their main leader?
Mike Kolen: Nick Buoniconti - Nick was the nucleus. I liked his style of leadership. He was a proven veteran and had the respect of all of us.

phinatics.com: What type of memorabilia, if any, did you keep from your playing years?
Mike Kolen: Just a few jerseys.

phinatics.com: Do you celebrate every season when the last undefeated NFL team gets defeated for the first time?
Mike Kolen: Yes I do, but that is because my mother-in-law gets so excited that our streak is still in tact.

phinatics.com: What are your thoughts about the ’74 strike and how did the players react when Langer, Scott, Mandich, Matheson, Morrall, Nottingham, and Morris crossed the picket line?
Mike Kolen: I never liked a strike. That's why so many rookies made the team in '70, Shula's first season, I being one of them. In regard to '74, I stayed out maybe one day out of respect for the majority of the team. However, I had just signed a three year contract and they paid me to play, so I joined the team the 2nd day of the strike.

phinatics.com: Being an Auburn alum and having lived in Alabama, how shocked were you to watch University of Alabama great, Joe “Willie” Namath get picked off 6 times in the 43-0 Dolphins victory over the Jets in '75?
Mike Kolen: I wasn't shocked. We beat the Jets pretty consistently through the early and mid-70's. It was the twilight of Joe's career and we just dominated.

phinatics.com: After losing to the Cowboys in Super Bowl 6, and then going 16-0 to reach SB7, did the team atmosphere seem to be one of extreme pressure or one of total confidence?
Mike Kolen: I was never more nervous than before our game with the Redskins in SB7. However, I know that each of us was more confident than nervous. The pressure was part of the territory, but we knew we could beat the Redskins.

phinatics.com: Do you remember your thoughts when you saw the Redskins score after Garo attempted to throw that pass in SB7? How much grief/kidding did he get from coaches and players after the game?
Mike Kolen: I was on the sidelines when Garo came off the field, and Shula was in his face. It wasn't a pleasant time for Garo, but after the season we all had a lot of laughs.

phinatics.com: Can you give us a quick breakdown of your Terry Bradshaw interception in the ’72 AFC Championship game?
Mike Kolen: It wasn't much to it. He was throwing long, and he underthrew his receiver. It was the end of the game and thus the linebackers had good depth. The pass came right to me, and I'm just glad I didn't drop it.

phinatics.com: Is there any personal information you would like to share with Dolfans e.g. kids?:
Mike Kolen: The Dolphins of the early mid-70's were a very close-knit organization. I think especially our championship years, we had a lot of inspiration. Sundays before our games, most of the players attended either chapel service or Catholic mass that was held before the pre-game meal. My mentor in those days was Norm Evans who was an All-Pro offensive lineman. I first met Norm at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes weekend at Jacksonville, FL. before our first season under Shula. Inspiration and teamwork are vital for any championship endeavor.

I try to create an atmosphere of inspiration and teamwork within my family and business. I have a very close-knit family, beautiful wife of 32 years, 2 great children, and 2 wonderful grandchildren. The Lord has truly blessed my life through my family.

phinatics.com: Please tell us about what you do now for a living.
Mike Kolen: I am a Financial Advisor in Birmingham. After being a member of the Championship teams of the Dolphins, it reminds me of the importance of possessing those same qualities that helped us become champions, like dedication, determination and discipline. I now strive to provide championship service and results for my clients.

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