Could Rams' Chris Shula Be the Next Branch on the Sean McVay Coaching Tree?

Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay has had a number of current NFL head coaches under him, and Chris Shula could be the next.

The Los Angeles Rams have had a number of their staff become head coaches elsewhere over the last several years, and there very well could be more in the future.

According to multiple reports, the Rams will hire pass-rush coordinator and linebackers coach Chris Shula as the team's new defensive coordinator. And if there are as many coach changes in the future around the league as there were this season, Sean McVay's coaching tree could continue to expand.

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

Matt LaFleur of the Packers, Zack Taylor of the Bengals, Kevin O'Connell of the Vikings, and now Raheem Morris of the Atlanta Falcons have all coached under McVay, and they are all set up to have success this upcoming season.

Shula was being looked at by the Miami Dolphins, whom his grandfather Don Shula was a Hall of Fame coach for. Instead, he is sticking with the team that he has been with since 2017, the same amount of time that Morris was with the Rams.

Are Rams 'Way-Too-Early' 2025 Super Bowl Contenders?

He is also sticking a friend in McVay, who he has not only coached under for the last four years but who was a college teammate with at Miami (OH) as well. 

And at just 37 years old, he has plenty of time to continue to build his resumé.

That starts with continuing to improve this young and talented defense even further as Morris did. If he can do that, then he could also be looked at by teams as a future head coach.

But until then, Shula will be helping the young stars of this Rams defense realize their true potential, and maybe help the team get right back to the playoffs after going out in the first round this season.