Dolphins Interviewing Don Shula’s Grandson for Defensive Coordinator

Chris Shula is currently the Los Angeles Rams’ pass rush coordinator.

The Miami Dolphins are considering tapping into the legacy of a legendary coach in team history to fill a key role on their defensive staff. 

Chris Shula is interviewing for the team’s defensive coordinator position, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Thursday. The grandson of iconic coach Don Shula has served on Sean McVay’s staff with the Los Angeles Rams for the past seven seasons, most recently working as the team’s pass rush coordinator and linebackers coach. 

Shula, 37, also has interviewed for the Rams’ defensive coordinator role, which was vacated when Raheem Morris was hired as the Atlanta Falcons’ head coach. Shula’s father, Dave, is a former Cincinnati Bengals head coach and Dolphins assistant. His uncle, Mike, was the head coach at Alabama before Nick Saban.

Don Shula is the winningest coach in NFL history, with 347 overall victories and 328 regular-season wins during his career. With the Dolphins, he won 258 regular-season games and 16 postseason contests, including two Super Bowls. 

The #Dolphins are interviewing Chris Shula — grandson of legendary coach Don Shula — for their defensive coordinator job today, per source.

Chris Shula has spent the past seven seasons as an assistant with the #Rams, most recently as pass rush coordinator/linebackers coach. pic.twitter.com/R8G83MWtNd

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 1, 2024

The Dolphins’ search for a new defensive coordinator began when the team and Vic Fangio agreed to part ways after this season. Fangio has since taken the same position with the Philadelphia Eagles. 

In addition to Shula, Miami coach Mike McDaniel has interviewed several other candidates, including former Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley, Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, Baltimore Ravens defensive line coach Anthony Weaver and Houston Texans linebackers coach Chris Kiffin. 

The Dolphins also have talked to linebackers coach Anthony Campanile and outside linebackers coach Ryan Slowik from their current staff about the opening.