The Colts fired Ewbank in early 1963 and replaced him with Don Shula, who had been an assistant with the Detroit Lions and played with Sandusky in Cleveland in 1951 and 1952. Shula retained Sandusky on his staff when he took over, and the Colts went on to win the NFL West with a 12–2 record in 1964. The team was heavily favored to win the NFL championship game, but lost to the Browns by a 27–0 score. By 1965, Sandusky was the Colts' offensive line coach as the team continued to succeed with Unitas at quarterback. The Colts won the NFL Championship in 1968, but lost to the AFL Champion New York Jets in Super Bowl III.