The Las Vegas Raiders’ head coaching search has been relatively quiet-until now. Saturday brought a flurry of movement, with former New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll getting an interview and San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak officially pulling his name from the running.
That leaves the Raiders with 11 remaining candidates from an original pool of 15, as three others have already accepted jobs elsewhere. It’s clear Las Vegas is casting a wide net, but the direction seems to be leaning toward offense-something the fanbase has been vocal about. And with the modern NFL tilting toward high-powered attacks, that line of thinking makes a lot of sense.
Names like Davis Webb, Mike McDaniel, and Klint Kubiak have been floated near the top of the list. There’s also buzz around Mike LaFleur and Nate Scheelhaase, two more offensive minds who’ve been gaining traction. But don’t overlook a defensive name who’s quietly remained in the mix: Chris Shula.
Chris Shula: A Legacy Name Still in the Running
Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula interviewed with the Raiders early in the process, but his team’s playoff run has prevented a follow-up. Despite the delay, Shula remains a serious candidate, according to Raider Nation Radio’s Vinny Bonsignore. And there’s already chatter about who could join him if he lands the job-specifically Rams quarterbacks coach and former Falcons offensive coordinator Dave Ragone.
While Shula’s name hasn’t been front and center-especially with the Raiders reportedly making strong pushes for Jesse Minter (now with the Ravens) and Jeff Hafley (now with the Dolphins)-he’s far from an afterthought. His pedigree alone commands attention.
Shula is the grandson of Don Shula, the NFL’s all-time winningest coach, the son of former Bengals head coach Dave Shula, and the nephew of Mike Shula, who spent time as Alabama’s head coach. But Chris is doing more than living off the family name-he’s building a résumé of his own.
Climbing the Ranks in L.A.
A former college teammate of Sean McVay at Miami (Ohio), Shula joined the Rams’ staff in 2017 and has steadily worked his way up. He took over as defensive coordinator in 2024, and the results have been impressive. Under his leadership, the Rams' defense has become one of the league’s most opportunistic units-ranking top 10 in scoring defense, fifth in takeaways, and seventh in total sacks with 47 on the year.
It’s not just the numbers-it’s the development. Young players on the Rams’ defense have taken noticeable strides under Shula, and that’s something that should resonate with a Raiders organization looking to build a sustainable contender.
The OC Puzzle Piece: Dave Ragone or Nate Scheelhaase?
If Shula lands the job in Las Vegas, his offensive coordinator hire becomes critical. That’s where Dave Ragone could come in.
He’s worked closely with Shula over the past two seasons, albeit on the other side of the ball, and has helped guide Matthew Stafford to a bounce-back season that had him playing like an MVP candidate in 2025. Ragone also brings prior OC experience from his time with the Falcons, which could prove valuable in developing a young quarterback like Fernando Mendoza.
Another name to watch is Rams passing game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase, who’s been drawing interest from multiple teams during this cycle. Whether it’s Ragone, Scheelhaase, or someone else, the offensive coordinator hire would be a defining move for a defensive-minded head coach like Shula.
The Raiders’ Patience Could Pay Off
Some believed Shula might be a better fit for the Pittsburgh Steelers, but their front office moved quickly and filled the vacancy before the Rams’ playoff run ended. The Raiders, on the other hand, appear willing to wait-and that patience could open the door for Shula to step into a leadership role in Las Vegas.
As it stands, Shula joins a group of serious contenders that includes Webb, Kubiak, LaFleur, and Scheelhaase. While the offensive trend is clear, Shula offers a compelling blend of pedigree, production, and potential. And if he brings the right offensive staff with him, he just might be the balanced leader the Silver and Black have been searching for.