His late grandfather is the all-time leader in NFL coaching victories.
His father was an NFL head coach.
So yes, Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula aims to become a third-generation NFL head coach.
Advertisement
Shula, the Rams’ defensive coordinator, should take another step toward achieving that goal next week when assistants coaching this weekend’s wild-card playoff games can be interviewed for head coaching openings.
Rams coach Sean McVay fully expects teams to make requests through the Rams to interview Shula, who is preparing for Saturday’s NFC wild-card game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Shula said Wednesday his mind remained focused on the Panthers, who defeated the Rams. 31-28 on November 30. He will follow his weekly preparation routine, “segment” his mind and “focus” on the task at hand, he said.
Learn more: How Tyler Higbee’s return could energize the Rams’ offense
Advertisement
“We obviously have an extremely capable opponent to beat us,” Shula said. “It deserves my full attention, so that’s what they’re going to get.”
Shula, 39, has been on the Rams staff since McVay – his former college teammate at Miami (Ohio) – was hired by the Rams in 2017.
Shula coached inside linebackers, defensive backs and edge rushers for the Rams before being elevated to defensive coordinator in 2024 after Raheem Morris left to become coach of the Atlanta Falcons.
Now, following Morris’ firing on Monday, Atlanta fills one of seven vacant NFL head coaching positions. The others are with the Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Las Vegas Raiders, New York Giants and Tennessee Titans.
Advertisement
Does Shula think he is ready to become a head coach if given the opportunity?
“If the right place, the right context and the right situation presents itself, when the time comes, we will decide,” Shula said. “I’m going to sit down with Sean and everyone I’m close to and make this decision.”
Shula’s grandfather, Don Shula, won 328 games in the NFL. In 1968, he coached the Baltimore Colts to the NFL championship – they lost to the AFL’s New York Jets in Super Bowl III – and he led the Miami Dolphins to Super Bowl titles to end the 1972 and 1973 seasons.
Learn more: NFL Playoff Photo: Breakdown of Every Wild Card Game
Advertisement
Shula’s father, Dave, was an NFL assistant for 10 years before coaching the Cincinnati Bengals from 1992-96.
If Chris Shula becomes an NFL head coach, he will further expand McVay’s coaching tree.
Former offensive assistants Matt LaFleur (Green Bay Packers), Zac Taylor (Cincinnati Bengals), Kevin O’Connell (Minnesota Vikings) and Liam Coen (Jacksonville Jaguars) parlayed their experience working under McVay into becoming an NFL head coach.
Former defensive coordinators Morris and Brandon Staley (Chargers) were also hired as head coaches after working with McVay.
“If these things happen, man, it’s like the best way to break your heart, but you’re happy for your guys,” McVay said of assistants who become head coaches.
Advertisement
Shula’s defense features an aggressive front that includes Pro Bowl edge rushers Jared Verse and Byron Young.
This season, the Rams have given up 20.4 points per game, which ranks 10th in the NFL. The Rams ranked 17th in total defense (327.5 yards per game), 12th in rushing defense (110.8 ypg) and 19th in pass defense (216.7 ypg). The Rams had 47 sacks (tied for seventh in the NFL) and intercepted 16 passes (tied for sixth).
On Saturday, the Rams need to improve on their Week 13 performance against the Panthers.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford didn’t help matters in this loss. He had two passes intercepted – including one that was returned for a touchdown – and lost a fumble. He was also responsible for a costly delay of game penalty.
Advertisement
But the Rams defense was also at fault.
Panthers quarterback Bryce Young passed for three touchdowns and the Carolina Panthers had more than 160 rushing yards in a victory that ended the Rams’ six-game winning streak and knocked them out of the No. 1 seed for the playoffs.
The Rams don’t need any additional motivation, Shula said.
“It’s a playoff game and they’re an extremely tough team on the road in a hostile environment,” he said. “So I think we’ll be good to go.”
This story was originally published in Los Angeles Times.
