The NFL is on the verge of a third generation of a Shula head coaching regime. The Los Angeles Rams are always a hotbed for coaching searches and that’s been no different in 2026 with Chris Shula, Nate Scheelhaase, and Mike LaFleur combining for at least a dozen interviews and interview requests. Though nothing can be finalized until the Rams are either eliminated from the playoffs or Super Bowl champions, signs are pointing towards Shula becoming the next head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Those rumors could end up debunked in a matter of days, if not hours, but the hottest name in Pittsburgh as the next head coach is the soon-to-be 40-year-old Shula.
Benjamin Albright reported that the Steelers are trending towards Shula, but Brian Flores is in the mix.
REPORT:
Per @AllbrightNFL the Pittsburgh #Steelers head coach search seems to be trending in Chris Shula’s way, but Brian Flores is still in the mix.
It was also noted that Shula could bring Nate Scheelhaase in as the team’s offensive coordinator. pic.twitter.com/WQXQpQEhO3
— Steelers Draft HQ (@SteelersDraftt) January 20, 2026
Others in Steelers land have hopped on the bandwagon.
I’m really starting to think Chris Shula will end up as the next head coach of the Steelers
The other teams that were interested in him are hiring their Head Coaches without waiting for him for an in person interview.
They’ve got to know where he plans on going https://t.co/7qGUMfts24
— Michael Beck (@MichaelBeck56) January 21, 2026
Good to see. I think Chris Shula will actually do a fine job in Pittsburgh. https://t.co/ZaFsHjJQbs
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) January 21, 2026
It would make sense for a defensive-minded organization like the Pittsburgh Steelers to go with a defensive-minded head coach like Shula or Flores. After Mike Tomlin’s long reign on the top, the Steelers would probably go with someone who has “grit” and is young enough to go 20 years strong.
Shula’s Hall of Fame grandfather Don Shula coached in the NFL for 33 seasons, including 26 years with the Miami Dolphins. That’s the definition of longevity.
🚨🚨BREAKING🚨🚨
Chris Shula has just entered the last step before he chooses Pittsburgh as his next destination
A member of Shula's team reached out to me to tell me that the last step in his evaluation is to see if Steelers X fans are chill.
He's almost home. pic.twitter.com/VY2top5r97
— Howard Betta (@Gaige_returns) January 21, 2026
Chris Shula’s father giving the most pissed off stare possible thanks to the Steelers.
This was during a 1992 MNF game.
Dave Shula was the rookie HC of the Bengals when a Warren Williams block led to a much talked about tug of the cap by Gary Reasons.
pic.twitter.com/WeOb66zaRR— Steel City Star (@steelcitystar) January 21, 2026
Chris Shula’s father David Shula didn’t get to enjoy the same success. He coached the Bengals for 5 years and had a record of 19-52, getting fired in 1996 when he was only 37.
His uncle Mike Shula is currently the offensive coordinator at South Carolina. Prior to that, he spent multiple decades in the NFL as an assistant, including as the OC in stops like the Bucs, Panther, and Giants.
Chris would become the third member of the family to get a head coaching gig and with the success he’s had as a defensive coordinator (took over a barely average defense under Raheem Morris and now has them sixth in points per drive allowed in the post-Aaron Donald era) and the popularity of interview requests, that seems inevitable.
But some believe that if the Rams go to the Super Bowl, that could actually hurt his chances of getting the job in Pittsburgh:
Though the Steelers were able to request a virtual interview with the Rams’ defensive coordinator, Pittsburgh has yet to meet with Shula in-person.
And if the Rams beat the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship game on Sunday, this could only add stress to the Steelers’ situation.
Technically, all coaching candidates from the upcoming championship weekend will be available to schedule interviews starting Monday. However, a Rams win would mean that Shula would be spending at least two more weeks with Los Angeles as they would be preparing for an all-important Super Bowl game.
While two weeks might not seem like a big deal, NFL teams desire to have their head coach situated long before the Super Bowl, because immediately after, the offseason begins.
Shula is the expected next head coach of the Steelers according to most people who cover the team. But until a team makes it official, it means that other candidates still have a shot.
How much longer is Pittsburgh willing to wait if other coaches get 2 more weeks to plea their case?
It could be resolved by next week or linger until after the Super Bowl. In any case, Shula’s time as a head coach is coming.
