Is Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula related to Don Shula?
Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula has helped lead his team one of the best regular-season records in the NFL, and now, to the divisional round of the playoffs. But for long-time NFL fans, his last name might stand out more than anything on his coaching resume.
Is Chris Shula related to Don Shula?
Don Shula is the late Pro Football Hall of Fame coach that became the winningest head coach in league history over a 33-year career. His 328 regular-season wins and 347 overall wins (regular season and playoffs combined) stand alone as league records by a head coach.
The long-time Miami Dolphins head coach is still the only NFL coach to ever lead a team to a "perfect season" - leading Miami's 1972 squad to an undefeated regular season and Super Bowl win.
Here's what to know about Chris Shula's relation to the Hall of Fame head coach:
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Is Chris Shula related to Don Shula?Yes, Chris Shula is related to Don Shula.
The younger Shula is the grandson of the late, great Dolphins head coach. Chris is the son of Dave Shula, the oldest son of Don Shula who served as the Cincinnati Bengals' head coach from 1992 to 1996.
Chris' uncle, Mike Shula, was the University of Alabama's head coach between 2003 and 2006 - immediately preceding Nick Saban as the Crimson Tide's previous permanent (i.e. non-interim) head coach.
Chris Shula coaching resumeShula has become one of the top coaching candidates on this year's head coaching carousel after spending 16 years rising up the ranks of coaching staffs - from college football to the NFL.
Here's a look at Shula's coaching resume, which dates back to 2010:
- 2010: Assistant linebackers coach at Ball State
- 2011-2013: Graduate assistant at Indiana
- 2014: Defensive coordinator at John Carroll
- 2015-2016: Defensive quality control coach for the San Diego Chargers
- 2017-2018: Assistant linebackers coach for the Los Angeles Rams
- 2019-2020: Outside linebackers coach for the Los Angeles Rams
- 2021: Linebackers coach for the Los Angeles Rams
- 2022: Pass game coordinator and defensive backs coach for the Los Angeles Rams
- 2023: Pass rush coordinator and linebackers coach for the Los Angeles Rams
- 2024-present: Defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams
Shula has been a member of Rams head coach Sean McVay's staff since McVay began his tenure in 2017. So far this offseason, Shula has been the subject of a couple of interview requests for head coach openings, potentially making him the next member of McVay's extensive coaching tree.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is Chris Shula related to Don Shula? What to know about Rams' DC