Tom Pelissero reports that the Dolphins have requested to interview Rams DC Chris Shula for their head coaching vacancy.
The following is a growing list of candidates for Miami’s position following the firing of HC Mike McDaniel:
- Former Ravens HC John Harbaugh
- Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak (Requested)
- 49ers DC Robert Saleh (Requested)
- Rams DC Chris Shula (Requested)
This particular interview is notable, given that Shula is the grandson of legendary Dolphins HC Don Shula.
Shula, 39, is the son of Dave Shula and the grandson of Hall of Fame coach Don Shula. He began his coaching career with the Chargers as a defensive quality control coach back in 2015.
He then became an assistant linebackers coach for the Rams during the 2017 season and was promoted to OLB coach in 2019. Since then, he’s moved around the staff a bit, coaching linebackers and defensive backs before moving back to outside linebackers/pass rush coordinator in 2023.
Los Angeles promoted him to defensive coordinator in 2024.
In 2025, the Rams defense ranked No. 10 in scoring and No. 17 in total defense, including No. 12 in rushing and No. 19 against the pass.
The Los Angeles Rams are gearing up for their wild-card matchup with the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium, but eight other teams who didn’t make the playoffs are starting their searches for their next head coaches.
Among those teams are the Tennessee Titans, who fired Brian Callahan in the middle of their 2025 season. Tennessee will interview several candidates for the role, and on Friday, they put in a request with the Rams to speak to defensive coordinator Chris Shula, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Shula, the grandson of legendary Dolphins coach Don Shula and son of former Bengals coach Dave Shula, joined the Rams in 2017 as an assistant linebackers coach after starting his NFL coaching career with the Chargers in 2015.
The 39-year-old took over as Los Angeles’ defensive coordinator in 2024 when Raheem Morris left to become the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons.
Shula’s defense allowed the 10th-fewest points per game (20.4) and were 17th in yards allowed per game (327.5) in 2025.
Tennessee is an intriguing job, as they have a first-overall pick quarterback in Cam Ward and another high first-round pick in the upcoming 2026 NFL draft. Shula could also grab someone else from Sean McVay’s tree and find an interesting offensive mind to run his offense.
