Image Source: Jack McKessy, USA TODAY
Key Takeaways:
- Chris Shula, the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams, is the grandson of the late Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Don Shula.
- Don Shula is the winningest head coach in NFL history with 328 regular-season wins and 347 overall wins.
- Chris Shula has been a member of Rams head coach Sean McVay’s staff since 2017 and has been rising through the coaching ranks for 16 years.
- Shula has been the subject of interview requests for head coach openings and is considered one of the top coaching candidates on this year’s head coaching carousel.
Introduction to Chris Shula
Chris Shula, the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams, has been making waves in the NFL with his impressive coaching skills, leading his team to one of the best regular-season records and to the divisional round of the playoffs. However, for long-time NFL fans, his last name might be more recognizable than his coaching resume. As the article states, "Chris Shula is related to Don Shula. The younger Shula is the grandson of the late, great Dolphins head coach." This connection to the legendary coach has sparked interest in Chris Shula’s background and coaching career.
The Shula Family Legacy
Don Shula, the late Pro Football Hall of Fame coach, is a legendary figure in the NFL, known for his impressive record of 328 regular-season wins and 347 overall wins, making him the winningest head coach in league history. As the article notes, "His 328 regular-season wins and 347 overall wins (regular season and playoffs combined) stand alone as league records by a head coach." Don Shula’s achievements include leading the Miami Dolphins to a "perfect season" in 1972, where the team had an undefeated regular season and won the Super Bowl. Chris Shula’s connection to this legacy is through his father, Dave Shula, who is the oldest son of Don Shula and served as the Cincinnati Bengals’ head coach from 1992 to 1996.
Chris Shula’s Coaching Career
Chris Shula has been rising through the coaching ranks for 16 years, starting as an assistant linebackers coach at Ball State in 2010. As the article outlines, "Shula has become one of the top coaching candidates on this year’s head coaching carousel after spending 16 years rising up the ranks of coaching staffs – from college football to the NFL." His coaching resume includes stints as a graduate assistant at Indiana, defensive coordinator at John Carroll, and various positions with the San Diego Chargers and Los Angeles Rams. Since joining the Rams in 2017, Shula has been a member of head coach Sean McVay’s staff and has been steadily moving up the coaching ladder. As the article states, "Shula has been a member of Rams head coach Sean McVay’s staff since McVay began his tenure in 2017."
Chris Shula’s Future Prospects
With his impressive coaching resume and connection to the legendary Shula family, Chris Shula is considered one of the top coaching candidates on this year’s head coaching carousel. As the article notes, "So far this offseason, Shula has been the subject of a couple of interview requests for head coach openings, potentially making him the next member of McVay’s extensive coaching tree." With his experience and skills, it is likely that Shula will continue to rise through the coaching ranks and potentially become a head coach in the near future. As the NFL continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Chris Shula’s career unfolds and whether he will follow in his grandfather’s footsteps to become a legendary coach in his own right.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/rams/2026/01/18/is-chris-shula-related-to-don-shula-rams/88180836007/