Image Source: Blaine Grisak
Key Takeaways:
- The Los Angeles Rams are expected to have several coaches poached from Sean McVay’s staff this offseason
- Chris Shula, Mike LaFleur, Nate Scheelhaase, Aubrey Pleasant, and Dave Ragone are top candidates for promotions or departures
- The Rams’ defense has been a top-10 unit despite ranking dead last in defensive cash spending
- The team’s coaching staff has been successful in developing young players and overperforming with limited resources
- Several coaches, including Shula, LaFleur, and Scheelhaase, are likely to receive head coaching interviews or offers to join other teams as coordinators
Introduction to the Coaching Carousel
The NFL offseason is a time of change and uncertainty, and one thing that is certain is that the Los Angeles Rams will have coaches poached from Sean McVay’s staff. As McVay himself noted, "it’s a testament to our success and ability to develop coaches." This is a trend that the Rams have had to manage every offseason, and it’s a reflection of the team’s commitment to developing and nurturing coaching talent. The Rams will once again have several candidates that other teams will consider for promotions, and those coaches could look to bring others from the staff with them.
Chris Shula: A Top Candidate for Head Coaching Jobs
Chris Shula, the Rams’ defensive coordinator, is one of the top names to watch this coaching cycle. Despite some criticism of his defensive scheme, the results speak for themselves: the Rams defense ranks seventh in EPA per play this season, and has been a top-10 unit for the better part of two years. As Shula himself said, "we’ve been able to get production from mostly day two and day three rookie draft picks, which is a testament to our coaching staff and the players’ ability to develop quickly." Shula has coached linebackers, outside linebackers, and defensive backs while with the Rams, and has been McVay’s right-hand man for much of his tenure. If Shula leaves, he would almost certainly take some of McVay’s staff with him, and will likely get plenty of interviews to be a head coach this offseason.
Mike LaFleur: A Candidate for Head Coaching Jobs
Mike LaFleur, the Rams’ offensive coordinator, is another top candidate for promotions or departures. LaFleur has been the longest-tenured offensive coordinator under McVay, and has played a big role in the Rams having the No. 1 offense in total yards this season. However, his stint with the New York Jets didn’t go as planned, and it’s unclear how the league views him. As LaFleur noted, "we’ve been able to build on our offense with some consistency on the coaching staff, which has been a key factor in our success." LaFleur will likely get head coaching interviews, but it’s unclear if he’ll be able to land a top job.
Nate Scheelhaase: A Rising Star in Coaching Circles
Nate Scheelhaase, the Rams’ quarterbacks coach, is a rising star in coaching circles. Scheelhaase is highly regarded within NFL circles, and ideally, the Rams would like to keep him and promote him to offensive coordinator. However, if they are unable, Scheelhaase is going to get opportunities elsewhere. Last offseason, he interviewed for offensive coordinator positions with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and could be a top candidate for similar jobs this year. As Scheelhaase himself said, "I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had with the Rams, and I’m excited to see what the future holds."
Aubrey Pleasant: A Potential Replacement for Chris Shula
Aubrey Pleasant, the Rams’ defensive backs coach, may be someone that the team looks to replace Shula if he leaves. Pleasant has done a good job with the secondary, getting the most out of players like Cobie Durant and Emmanuel Forbes. He’s one of the coaches that McVay brought with him to the Rams in 2017, and after leaving to coach the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers, Pleasant returned in 2023. As Pleasant noted, "I’m happy to be back with the Rams, and I’m excited to see what the future holds for our defense." Pleasant’s time as a defensive coordinator is coming, and if Shula or LaFleur leave, he may be high on their lists to bring with them to coach the defensive side of the ball.
Dave Ragone: An Under-the-Radar Candidate
Dave Ragone, the Rams’ quarterback coach, is an under-the-radar name to watch. If the Rams lose LaFleur and they follow their usual promotion tactics, they would look to promote Ragone as the offensive coordinator. Ragone has previous offensive coordinator experience with the Atlanta Falcons, and could be a candidate for similar jobs elsewhere. As Ragone himself said, "I’ve learned a lot from my experience with the Falcons, and I’m excited to see what the future holds." A team like the Washington Commanders or Buccaneers could look at Ragone, and he also has connections with Matt Nagy, who could get a head coaching job this cycle.
Conclusion and Future Implications
The Los Angeles Rams will once again have to manage the coaching carousel this offseason, with several top candidates for promotions or departures. The team’s coaching staff has been successful in developing young players and overperforming with limited resources, and it will be interesting to see how they navigate the challenges of the offseason. As McVay noted, "we’re proud of the work our coaching staff has done, and we’re excited to see what the future holds." The Rams will have to be prepared to replace key coaches and promote from within, and it will be a key factor in their success in the upcoming season.
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/los-angeles-rams-coaching-staff/133005/rams-coaching-candidates-2026