Chris Shula: Rams defensive coordinator and active head‑coaching candidate

Chris Shula is the Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator and an active head-coaching candidate who has drawn interview requests from multiple NFL clubs, according to team and league reporting.

Shula serves as the Rams’ defensive coordinator, a role he held after internal promotion within the organization, and his name has appeared repeatedly in 2025–26 head-coaching searches, Sports Illustrated reported that he “wound up doing five HC interviews” earlier in the cycle.

A dimly lit empty coaching office with a generic playboard leaning against a wall, a clipboard and whistle on a desk, a single chair pushed back as if recently vacated

League transaction trackers and beat reports show specific interview requests. ProFootballRumors reported that the Miami Dolphins requested an interview with Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula, while cleveland.com reported the Cleveland Browns requested an interview for their vacancy.

The Baltimore Ravens’ official site and local coverage also listed Shula among candidates they interviewed, adding to a string of scheduled and requested meetings around the league.

Rams head coach Sean McVay told reporters he expected Shula to draw outside interest; USA Today’s Rams coverage paraphrased McVay as saying he anticipated Shula would “land a few HC” interviews, a stance echoed in local beat pieces.

Anonymous silhouette of a defensive play diagram projected on a screen in a quiet practice facility, cones and a helmet on the floor in soft focus

Shula’s run in the 2025–26 hiring cycle followed a pattern for successful coordinators: national reporters and team sites tracked his interviews and requests as part of a wider market for coaches that season.

Observers have noted Shula’s coaching lineage and résumé in coverage; ProFootballRumors and several local outlets identified him as the grandson of Don Shula while reporting on his candidacy and interview calendar.

What this means for the Rams is procedural: NFL teams may interview Shula while he remains under contract with Los Angeles, and beat reporters list him among the internal candidates other clubs are evaluating for open head-coaching jobs.

Sources

Sports Illustrated — reported that Shula “wound up doing five HC interviews.”
ProFootballRumors — reported the Miami Dolphins requested an interview with Shula and noted his coaching lineage.
cleveland.com — reported the Browns requested an interview with Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula.
BaltimoreRavens.com — listed Shula among candidates the Ravens interviewed.
USA Today (The Rams Wire) — quoted Sean McVay saying he expected Shula to land multiple head-coaching interviews.