The Dolphins’ search to replace Vic Fangio will move toward Sean McVay‘s staff, and it now includes a rather familiar name in South Florida.
Chris Shula, who has been with the Rams throughout McVay’s tenure, is set to interview for the Dolphins’ defensive coordinator position, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero tweets. The grandson of legendary Dolphins coach Don Shula, Chris will meet with the team about its DC opening Thursday.
A Miami native, Chris is the son of former Dolphins assistant and ex-Bengals head coach David Shula. In addition to Don Shula’s 26-year run as Dolphins HC, the Shulas have produced another NFL HC (David) and a coordinator (Mike). Chris, 37, has moved around on McVay’s staff, specializing on the defensive side. He spent this past season as the Rams’ linebackers coach.
This marks Chris’ second opportunity to interview for a coordinator post this offseason. The Rams also have him on the radar to replace Raheem Morris, though bigger names are also being considered for that Los Angeles-based gig. McVay’s success has brought steady turnover on his staff, with a handful of staffers rising to the HC or coordinator ranks elsewhere. Shula spending all seven seasons on McVay’s staff has represented rare continuity for the NFC West team.
Shula coached the Rams’ DBs in 2022 but has spent the other six seasons in L.A. working with the team’s linebackers. During the team’s Super Bowl-winning slate and this past season, Shula coached L.A.’s LBs. The third-generation NFL coach broke into the league as a quality control staffer with the Chargers. Here is how the Dolphins’ DC search looks as of Thursday morning:
- Bobby Babich, linebackers coach (Bills): Interview requested; promoted to Bills DC
- Anthony Campanile, inside linebackers coach (Dolphins): Interviewed
- Ejiro Evero, defensive coordinator (Panthers): Interview blocked
- Leslie Frazier, former defensive coordinator (Bills): Interviewed 1/30
- Ryan Slowik, outside linebackers coach (Dolphins): Interview expected
- Chris Shula, linebackers coach/pass-rush coordinator (Rams): To interview 2/1
- Brandon Staley, former head coach (Chargers): Interviewed
@Crosseyed, this is what a coaching tree means. You develop good young coaches that get the chance for serious promotions from other teams. Rams, 9’ers, Ravens, & Chiefs all develop new coaching talent each year. Bill B didn’t have 1 successful assistant go elsewhere and become even more successful. All were canned. How is that possible? Bill is not that much of a genius, sorry.
Constant winning teams is due to a good front office that finds talented players, with head coaches leading them & his assistant coaches handling their specific roles i.e. OLB coach, WR coach, passing coordinator etc.
Why don’t we see coaches getting poached from Atlanta, Jax, Jets, Bears, DC….?