Chris Shula

{{Short description|American football player and coach (born 1986)}}

{{Infobox NFL biography

| name = Chris Shula

| image =

| image_size =

| alt =

| caption =

| current_team = Los Angeles Rams

| position = Defensive coordinator

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1986|2|5|mf=y}}

| birth_place = Miami, Florida, U.S.

| death_date =

| death_place =

| high_school = St. Thomas Aquinas {{nowrap|(Fort Lauderdale, Florida)}}

| college = Miami (OH)

| pastcoaching =

Ball State (2010)
Assistant linebackers coach
Indiana (2011–2013)
Graduate assistant
John Carroll (2014)
Defensive coordinator
San Diego Chargers ({{nfly|2015}}–{{nfly|2016}})
Defensive quality control coach
Los Angeles Rams ({{nfly|2017}}–{{nfly|2018}})
Assistant linebackers coach
Los Angeles Rams ({{nfly|2019}}–{{nfly|2020}})
Outside linebackers coach
Los Angeles Rams ({{nfly|2021}})
Linebackers coach
Los Angeles Rams ({{nfly|2022}})
Pass game coordinator & defensive backs coach
Los Angeles Rams ({{nfly|2023}})
Pass rush coordinator & linebackers coach
Los Angeles Rams ({{nfly|2024}}–present)
Defensive coordinator

| highlights =

Super Bowl champion (LVI)

| regular_record =

| playoff_record =

| overall_record =

| pfrcoach = ShulCh0

}}

Chris Shula (born February 5, 1986) is an American football coach who is the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football as a linebacker at Miami University and previously served as an assistant coach at Ball State University, Indiana University, John Carroll University and for the San Diego Chargers. He is the son of Dave Shula, grandson of Don Shula, and nephew of Mike Shula.

Playing career

Shula played linebacker for the Miami RedHawks{{Cite web|title=Chris Shula - Football|url=https://miamiredhawks.com/sports/football/roster/chris-shula/1300|access-date=2021-01-18|website=Miami University RedHawks|language=en}} from 2004 until 2008 where he was teammates with Sean McVay.{{Cite web|title=Official Site of the Los Angeles Rams|url=https://www.therams.com/team/coaches-roster/chris-shula|access-date=2021-01-18|website=www.therams.com|language=en-US}}

Coaching career

=Ball State=

In 2010, Shula was hired as the assistant linebackers coach at Ball State University.{{cite web | last=Kirschenbaum | first=Alex | title=Rams News: Chris Shula Reacts to First Day of OTAs for LA | website=SI.com | date=2024-05-31 | url=https://www.si.com/nfl/rams/news/chris-shula-reacts-to-first-day-of-otas-for-la-ak1987 | access-date=2025-01-09}}

=Indiana=

In 2011, Shula joined the Indiana University as a graduate assistant.

=John Carroll=

In 2014, Shula was hired as the defensive coordinator at John Carroll University.{{cite web | last=Warsinskey | first=Tim | title=Chris Shula extends Don Shula's legacy at John Carroll with No. 2-ranked defense (video, slideshow) | website=cleveland | date=2014-11-13 | url=https://www.cleveland.com/sports/college/2014/11/chris_shula_extends_don_shulas.html | access-date=2025-01-09}}

=San Diego Chargers=

In 2015, Shula was hired by the San Diego Chargers as a defensive quality control coach under head coach Mike McCoy.{{Cite web |last=Warsinskey |first=Tim |date=2015-02-10 |title=San Diego Chargers hire Chris Shula away from John Carroll University (photos, videos) |url=https://www.cleveland.com/sports/college/2015/02/san_diego_chargers_hire_chris.html |access-date=2025-01-09 |website=cleveland |language=en}}

=Los Angeles Rams=

In 2017, Shula was hired by the Los Angeles Rams as their assistant linebackers coach under head coach Sean McVay.{{cite web | last=Webb | first=Josh | title=LA Rams Round Out 2017 Coaching Staff | website=Turf Show Times | date=2017-02-08 | url=https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2017/2/8/14556116/la-rams-2017-coaching-staff-hired-sean-mcvay-wade-phillips-matt-lafleur | access-date=2025-01-09}} In 2019, Shula was promoted to outside linebackers coach.

On February 23, 2021, Shula was promoted to linebackers coach.{{cite news |author=Jackson, Stu |title=Rams finalize 2021 coaching staff |url=https://www.therams.com/news/rams-finalize-2021-coaching-staff |website=TheRams.com |date=February 23, 2021 |access-date=February 24, 2021}} That year, the Rams became Super Bowl champions when the Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI.{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl LVI - Los Angeles Rams vs. Cincinnati Bengals - February 13th, 2022 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202202130cin.htm |access-date=2023-02-19 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} In 2022, Shula was promoted to pass game coordinator and defensive backs coach. In 2023, Shula was promoted to pass rush coordinator and linebackers coach.

On February 2, 2024, Shula was promoted to defensive coordinator for the Rams, replacing Raheem Morris, following his departure to become the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons.{{Cite web|last=Jackson|first=Stu|title=Rams promote Chris Shula to defensive coordinator|url= https://www.therams.com/news/rams-promote-chris-shula-to-defensive-coordinator|website=therams.com|date=February 2, 2024|access-date=February 2, 2024}}

Personal life

Chris is the son of former Cincinnati Bengals head coach Dave Shula. He is also the grandson of the late Hall of Fame coach Don Shula.{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Eric D. |date=October 31, 2020 |title=Miami trip chance to honor family legacy for Rams assistant Chris Shula |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/rams/news/la-rams-assistant-coach-chris-shula-honors-family-legacy-in-miami |access-date=2021-01-18 |website=Sports Illustrated |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Gehlken |first=Michael |date=2019-02-02 |title=Rams assistant coach Chris Shula carries on family name |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/football/super-bowl/rams-assistant-coach-chris-shula-carries-on-family-name-1587975/ |access-date=2021-01-18 |website=Las Vegas Review-Journal |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Habib |first=Hal |date=January 31, 2019 |title=Super Bowl 53: Don Shula's legacy grows as grandson helps coach Los Angeles Rams |url=https://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/20190131/super-bowl-53-don-shulas-legacy-grows-as-grandson-helps-coach-los-angeles-rams |access-date=2021-01-18 |website=The Palm Beach Post |language=en}} His uncle Mike Shula was the former head coach at Alabama, worked as an offensive coach for several NFL teams, and is currently an offensive analyst for the South Carolina Gamecocks.{{Cite web |date=2024-03-20 |title=Gamecocks hire Mike Shula as offensive analyst |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/39772069/south-carolina-hires-former-alabama-coach-mike-shula-analyst |access-date=2024-05-22 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press |language=en}}