There are only two weeks left in the 2025 NFL regular season, and Tennessee Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi and president Chad Brinker will search for a new head coach after the game.
The Titans need to be intentional about their head coaching search; they can’t afford a repeat of Brian Callahan because it would set the organization even further back than it already is. They need to find someone who has a solid plan for developing Cam Ward and other young players, but also someone who has the ability to create a winning culture in Nashville.
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We’ve previously discussed other coaching candidates of interest, and we’ll continue here with our next candidate, Chris Shula.
Chris Shula – Defensive Coordinator – Los Angeles Rams
Shula’s name holds a pivotal position in the NFL. His father Dave, uncle Mike and grandfather Don are all former NFL coaches with successful careers.
Chriss played linebacker at Miami University (Ohio) and began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Ball State University. After one year there, Shula spent two years as a graduate assistant at Indiana University before spending one season as defensive coordinator at John Carroll University.
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Shula made the jump to the NFL in 2015 when he was hired by the San Diego Chargers as a defensive quality control coach. He worked in that position for two years before joining the Los Angeles Rams in 2017 as assistant linebackers coach. He has risen through the ranks since joining the Rams, spending time working on all aspects of the defense before being promoted to defensive coordinator in 2024.
potential fit
This was the tricky part for Shula. His name carries a lot of weight, and he rose through the ranks on his own merit, proving his own ability. Coming from a Sean McVay coaching tree that includes names like Matt LaFleur, Kevin O’Connell, Zac Taylor and Liam Cohen doesn’t hurt either. Schratt was successful, and he had a great mentor in McVeigh.
The problem Shula will face if he interviews at Tennessee is that he’s just a defensive coach. He has no head coaching experience at any level, so he will rely heavily on his offensive coordinator to develop Cam Ward. His head coach is responsible for calling plays and executing offensive plans while also coaching Shula on offense.
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Of course, McVay isn’t going to let someone like Shula run into an interview unprepared, so Shula will have some knowledge of the offense. But offensive player development isn’t all in his repertoire, so when they ask him what his plans are for Cam Ward, he has to have a solid answer.
This article originally appeared on Titans Wired: Tennessee Titans head coaching search: Chris Shula is a rising star
