Pittsburgh Steelers eye Rams' rising defensive star and offensive mind. Could this dynamic duo spark Pittsburgh's coaching revolution?
The Pittsburgh Steelers have requested permission from the Los Angeles Rams to interview two assistant coaches as they are looking to replace Mike Tomlin.
The Steelers plan to interview both defensive coordinator Chris Shula and passing game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase. The duo has helped the Rams reach the NFC Divisional round of the playoffs as they visit the Chicago Bears on Sunday night.
Shula getting considered for head coaching jobs is not a surprise. He is considered a rising star in the profession. It also doesn’t hurt that he is the grandson of Hall of Fame coach Don Shula and the son of former Cincinnati Bengals coach David Shula.
However, Scheelhaase is a bit of a different story. He is relatively unknown while serving under offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur. In fact, a case can be made that Scheelhaase ranks behind Rams quarterbacks Dave Ragone and senior offensive assistant Alex Van Pelt in terms of name recognition.
That is what makes the idea of the Steelers hiring Shula and Scheelhaase as a package deal intriguing. Most NFL observers believe Shula is ready to be a head coach. The more unproven Scheelhaase might be better served as an offensive coordinator before making the jump to head coach.
The Rams are certainly an organization worth emulating as they are in the playoffs for a third straight year. They have also reached the postseason in seven of coach Sean McVay’s nine seasons, appearing in two Super Bowls and winning one.
The Rams’ defense has been so-so while Los Angeles has compiled a 13-5 record. The Rams are 10th in the NFL in points allowed and 17th in total yards allowed. That is an improvement over last season, Shula’s first as DC, when they were 17th in scoring defense and 26th in total defense.
However, the Rams’ offense leads the league in points scored and total offense this season. Most importantly, in Scheelhaase’s case, the Rams are tops in passing yards.
Matthew Stafford led the NFL with 4,707 yards passing and 46 touchdown passes during the regular season. Puka Nacua led the league with 129 catches, and fellow wide receiver Davante Adams’s 14 TD receptions topped the NFL.
What is also intriguing is the age of the two Rams’ assistants. Shula is 39, and Scheelhaase is 35. If they come to the Steelers, it is easy to envision them growing together.