The world of football is filled with family traditions, and the Shula family is no exception. Don Shula, the legendary Hall of Fame coach, may have hung up his coaching hat, but his legacy lives on through his grandson, Chris Shula. Chris is currently making waves in the NFL as the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams.
Chris Shula’s journey to becoming a coach began on the field, where he played college football as a linebacker for Miami of Ohio from 2004 to 2008. During his time at Miami, Chris was teammates with current Rams head coach Sean McVay. After college, Chris began his coaching career, holding various positions in college football before entering the NFL in 2015.
In 2015, Chris joined the San Diego Chargers as a defensive quality control coach. Two years later, he joined the Rams as an assistant linebackers coach, reuniting with his former college teammate Sean McVay. Chris’s hard work and dedication paid off, as he was elevated to linebackers coach when the Rams clinched Super Bowl LVI.
The following year, Chris took on the role of pass game coordinator and defensive backs coach. In the 2023 season, he served as the pass rush coordinator and linebackers coach. After Raheem Morris accepted the Atlanta Falcons head coaching role, Chris was promoted to defensive coordinator.
Under Chris’s leadership, the Rams have remained competitive defensively, despite the loss of future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald. The team won the NFC West title and secured a playoff spot, a testament to Chris’s coaching prowess.
Chris’s grandfather, Don Shula, is a legendary coach in his own right. Don coached the Baltimore Colts from 1963 to 1969, earning three AP NFL Coach of the Year awards during his tenure. In 1968, he led the Colts to a 13-1 record and a victory in the NFL Championship Game.
Don Shula went on to coach the Miami Dolphins from 1970 to 1995, leading the team to 11 division titles, five AFC championships, and consecutive Super Bowl wins in 1972 and 1973. His victory in Super Bowl VII marked the completion of the NFL’s only undefeated season, with Miami ending the 1972 season at 17-0.
Don Shula’s impressive coaching record includes 347 regular and postseason wins, the most in NFL history. He also holds the record for most NFL AP Coach of the Year awards, with four. Don Shula was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1997.
Chris Shula’s coaching career is still in its early stages, but he is already making a name for himself in the NFL. With his grandfather’s legacy as inspiration, Chris is poised to become a top coach in the league.
As the NFL playoffs continue, all eyes will be on Chris Shula and the Los Angeles Rams. Will Chris lead the team to victory, following in his grandfather’s footsteps? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – the Shula coaching legacy is alive and well in the NFL.