New Rams Defensive Coordinator Chris Shula Looks To Continue Family Legacy

Recently-promoted Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula has some big shoes to full.

The name Chris Shula, the new defensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Rams, should ring a bell for any football fan.

Shula, 38, is part of NFL royalty as his grandfather is the legendary Don Shula, the late Miami Dolphins coach who leads the NFL in all-time wins with 328. He's also the son of former Cincinnati Bengals coach Dave Shula and nephew of former Alabama Crimson Tide coach Mike Shula, so coaching is a family business for the Shulas.

As Chris Shula becomes an NFL coordinator for the first time, he will look to build his own identity while honoring his family's football legacy.

Nov 26, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Rams pass game coordinator Chris Shula against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium / Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

"You know, it's something that when I was a young coach, I was almost a little embarrassed about because I didn't want people to think I got into certain positions because of the last name so I think that was some of the motivation," Chris Shula told reporters Tuesday at his introductory press conference. "I always had a little chip on my shoulder to kind of work extra hard to show that I earned the role that I got or whatever...

"It's something that initially when it started out I was a little bit reluctant to kind of... I might not say my last name when I introduce myself to now it's something I'm extremely proud of and I take a lot of pride in just because of not only my dad and my grandpa, but my uncle as well and the character that they have and the types of coaches that they were, and the types of human beings that they were. It's something that I'm very proud of."

Connections may have helped Chris Shula get the promotion, but when the key connection is with Rams coach Sean McVay, that's far from a bad thing. The two were college teammates with the Miami (Ohio) RedHawks from 2004 to 2008, then when McVay became the Rams coach in 2017, he brought Chris Shula along as an assistant. Seven years and several promotions later, Chris Shula is now McVay's top assistant on the defensive side of the ball.

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Chris Shula is taking a big step forward in his career, and if his grandfather could see him now, he believes the legendary coach would be quite proud of his progress.

"A lot of the lessons I learned from him, the discipline, the accountability that you have that you show to your players by being prepared, by leaving no stone unturned in your preparation so that they go out and make it feel confident when they take the field," Chris Shula said. "I'd like to think he's looking down right now proud."