The Rams are staying in-house to replace Raheem Morris, promoting linebackers coach and pass rush coordinator Chris Shula to defensive coordinator, a source confirmed Thursday.
Shula, 37, was a member of head coach Sean McVay’s original coaching staff and spent the past eight seasons with the Rams. He has worked with inside and outside linebackers during his time with the Rams and spent the 2022 season as defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator before moving back to linebackers and pass rush for the 2023 season.
He replaces Morris, who left last month after three seasons with the Rams to become head coach of the Atlanta Falcons.
The move to retain Shula, who interviewed for the Miami Dolphins’ defensive coordinator position earlier Thursday according to an NFL Network report, makes sense for a number of reasons for the Rams.
First, the Rams’ young defense took major strides in 2023 and retaining Morris’ defensive system will help with continuity moving forward. Having worked with all three levels of the defense, Shula already has a familiarity with the players on the roster and their strengths and weaknesses.
Many current Rams have thrived under the tutelage of Shula, grandson of Hall of Fame coach Don Shula. Linebacker Ernest Jones IV had a career year in 2023 and appears poised for a lucrative contract extension. Former fourth-round pick Cobie Durant had a strong rookie season in 2022, preparing him to be the starting star back this past season.
And after a second straight offseason of churn among McVay’s coaching staff, Shula’s return and promotion will bring some more continuity heading into the 2024 season.
Morris took Rams quarterbacks coach Zac Robinson and assistant head coach Jimmy Lake with him to Atlanta for coordinator positions. Assistant special teams coach Jeremy Springer was hired by the Patriots Wednesday to be their special teams coordinators. And defensive line coach Eric Henderson is now the defensive coordinator at USC.
So with Shula, McVay retains a trusted ally, one who was a teammate of McVay’s at Miami (Ohio).
