Tragedy has hit Notre Dame’s football program just before the Irish open the season, as starting safety Adon Shuler’s family announced Monday evening that his father, Don Shuler, has died.
The announcement came on Adon Shuler’s Instagram account and described Don Shuler as “husband, father, son, coach, leader, mentor, and friend,” adding that he had “a presence that made every room better.” The family said he spent his life encouraging, guiding and uplifting others, and closed with: “Although our hearts are broken, we are grateful for the love, lessons, and memories he gave us.
His impact will live on through his family and every life he touched.We love you forever, Don. Your legacy will live on.
🕊️- The Shuler Family”
A native of Irvington in northern New Jersey, about 14 miles from MetLife Stadium, Adon Shuler was recently selected as one of four team captains for the 2026 season. It marked a second straight captaincy honor for Shuler, who joined linebacker Drayk Bowen to make it 25 two-time captains for the Irish over the past century.
The family’s football ties run deep. Donte Shuler, Adon’s younger brother, plays at Irvington and is part of the 2027 recruiting class.
Don Shuler was an Irvington High graduate, earning all-conference honors as an offensive lineman before graduating in 1996. He is survived by his wife, Fran, and sons Adon, Donte and Donovan.
His belief in Notre Dame was clear years ago, when he told Scholastic magazine in 1994: “It’s not just about football at Notre Dame,” Don Shuler told Scholastic magazine in 1994. “It’s about [Adon’s] well-being after football, with education and the kind of career he can have outside of football by going to Notre Dame.
You can’t go wrong with Notre Dame. You will be set for life.”
Adon Shuler and his family had also built annual youth football camps in Irvington under the “Irvington Tough” name. On the field, Shuler has started 27 of 28 games for Notre Dame over the last two seasons, missing the first half against Purdue last season after a targeting ejection.
In August, Notre Dame junior safety Brauntae Johnson described Shuler’s importance to the defense this way: “Adon, he means everything,” Notre Dame junior safety Brauntae Johnson said in August. “He's the fire starter for our defense.
Once Adon gets going, that gives a spark to the whole defense. When he makes plays, we make plays.”
As of Tuesday morning, no public arrangements had been announced.
Notre Dame is scheduled to begin the 2026 season on Sunday night, Sept. 6, at Green Bay’s Lambeau Field against unranked Wisconsin.
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