Rams’ Chris Shula Emerges as Top Head Coaching Candidate After Playoff Success

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Four days ago, Chris Shula wasn’t on anyone’s radar as a head coaching candidate. Now, after a dominant defensive performance in the NFL playoffs, the Los Angeles Rams’ defensive coordinator is drawing significant attention as teams scramble to fill coaching vacancies.

Shula, 38, has been a key figure in the Rams’ resurgence this season. After a rocky start that saw the team’s defense ranked among the worst in the league, Shula orchestrated a turnaround that culminated in a playoff-record nine sacks against the Minnesota Vikings in the wild-card round. The Rams now face the Philadelphia Eagles in the divisional round, with Shula’s stock rising by the day.

“The best way to get your next job is to just be excellent at the job you have,” Shula said Wednesday, echoing advice from his father, Dave Shula, a former NFL head coach. “I’ve always had a chip on my shoulder to prove I didn’t get here because of my last name.”

Shula’s lineage is hard to ignore. His grandfather, Don Shula, is a Hall of Fame coach who won two Super Bowls with the Miami Dolphins. His father, Dave, and uncle, Mike Shula, also have NFL coaching experience. Despite the weight of his family name, Chris Shula has carved out his own path, earning praise for his innovative defensive schemes and leadership.

“Chris is a rising star,” an unnamed NFL executive told Sports Illustrated. “It’s only a matter of time before he’s a head coach.”

Shula’s journey to this point has been a decade in the making. He joined Sean McVay’s staff in 2017 and has coached all three levels of the Rams’ defense. His promotion to defensive coordinator this season came after the departure of Raheem Morris, who left to become head coach of the Atlanta Falcons.

Under Shula’s guidance, the Rams’ defense has become one of the most cost-effective units in the NFL. Despite being the lowest-paid defense in the league and featuring only one former first-round pick, the unit has allowed fewer than 10 points in four of its last five games, excluding a Week 18 matchup where starters were rested.

“Chris and his staff did an excellent job,” McVay said after the wild-card win. “They came up with creative blitzes that caused indecision for the Vikings’ offense.”

Shula’s success has not gone unnoticed by teams with coaching vacancies. The Jacksonville Jaguars, in particular, have been mentioned as a potential fit, given their young core of talent and need for a defensive-minded leader. Other teams, including the Chicago Bears and Las Vegas Raiders, could also be in the mix.

For now, Shula remains focused on the task at hand: preparing for the Eagles. But with the NFL’s interview process delayed, teams are closely monitoring his performance. One more standout game could make him the hottest name in this year’s coaching carousel.

“I’m just happy to be in the NFL,” Shula said. “I’ll keep grinding and see what the future holds.”