Chris Shula
Head Coach — Los Angeles Rams
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About Chris Shula
Chris Shula is the defensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Rams and the grandson of Don Shula, who won more games than any head coach in NFL history. That family tree is doing a lot of heavy lifting. Being a Shula in the NFL is like being a Corleone in organized crime; people assume you know what you're doing based entirely on your last name. Chris has carved out a respectable coaching career, but every time his defense gives up a long touchdown, somebody in a game thread types "Don is rolling in his grave" and collects 200 upvotes.
The meme potential with Chris Shula sits right at the intersection of legacy pressure and nepotism jokes. He could scheme the greatest defensive game plan in NFL history and the first comment would still be "well yeah, his grandpa literally invented coaching." He could also give up 45 points and the reaction would be "the bloodline is thinning." There is no middle ground. Every Shula defensive performance gets filtered through three generations of family expectations, and the internet is more than happy to grade him on that curve.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Chris Shula related to Don Shula?
Chris is the grandson of Don Shula, who holds the record for most wins by a head coach in NFL history with 347. Don coached the 1972 Dolphins to the only perfect season in NFL history. Chris's father, Mike Shula, also coached in the NFL as an offensive coordinator. So Chris is third-generation NFL coaching royalty, which means he gets credit for good defensive performances and twice the criticism for bad ones.
Last updated: April 2026