The odds of Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula getting a head coach job during this cycle seemed fairly certain at the start of the interview process, but the chances keep getting slimmer as L.A. gets deeper into the playoffs. Considered a favorite to become the next head coach of the Steelers, Shula has seen another opportunity slip away after Pittsburgh hired Mike McCarthy on Saturday instead.
Six of the 10 openings have been filled, leaving the Bills and three dire situations on the table.
Shula was thought to be a natural fit for the Dolphins, the franchise of his grandfather Don, and the timing seemed perfect when Mike McDaniel was fired. Instead, the Dolphins went with a different defensive coordinator, Jeff Hafley.
Then the Steelers were rumored to be the most realistic destination. Now they’re going with a proven — even if oft criticized — McCarthy. Whether or not McCarthy was a better hire than Shula or not, he’s an experienced coach and a product where you know what you’re gonna get: McCarthy is 174-112-2 with the Packers and Cowboys. McCarthy took over bad teams and won the division in his second season both times.
The remaining options are either Josh Allen or three of the most hapless franchises in the league.
The Buffalo Bills.
The Las Vegas Raiders.
The Cleveland Browns.
The Arizona Cardinals.
What’s going wrong with interviews?
Teams wait.
The 49ers waited for Kyle Shanahan until after the Super Bowl. The Seahawks waited for Mike McDonald until after the AFC Championship. Because sometimes teams desperately want someone who they interview and they wait.
So you have to wonder, why didn’t these teams wait for Shula?
Shula interviewed with the Dolphins and they didn’t even wait to see if he might be available after the divisional round. The same with the Ravens. They hired different defensive coordinators, too. It’s not like they just wanted to go in an offensive direction because they hired Hafley and Jesse Minter, respectively.
Now the Steelers, a favorite, went with McCarthy.
He turned down the Browns. Smart. But he’s essentially lost the jobs in Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and Miami. He took two other interviews: Raiders, Cardinals.
Is Shula going to be the next head coach of the Raiders instead of the Steelers? That’s a much bigger leap of faith on his part.
If you’ve been a fan of Chris Shula’s as defensive coordinator and are afraid of who could replace him, the last two weeks have been lucky. If you’re Shula, you’re probably not feeling as popular as you did when the season ended.
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