Nate Scheelhaase named potential fit for AFC head coach job

6 days ago 2

The Los Angeles Rams are no strangers to losing key assistants during the head-coach hiring cycle. Several current head coaches were former assistants under Sean McVay, including Liam Coen, Kevin O'Connell, Matt LaFleur, and Zac Taylor.

The 2026 head coach hiring cycle could see another McVay acolyte leave for another team. Assistants like defensive coordinator Chris Shula, offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur and assistant head coach Aubrey Pleasant have all been rumored to draw interest from teams looking for a new head coach.

Another name that could pop up is passing game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase. Conor Orr of Sports Illustrated wrote that Scheelhaase would be a good fit to replace Pete Carroll with the Las Vegas Raiders, given his background as a former quarterback and the Raiders' solid offensive corps that features Ashton Jeanty and Brock Bowers.

The 35-year-old Scheelhaase is one of the hidden gems on McVay’s staff and will almost certainly graduate to a play-caller role this offseason. However, as we mentioned at the top, he may also get some hybrid head coaching interviews as well, given that many are high on the former University of Illinois quarterback.

It would be a big jump for Scheelhaase, but it wouldn't be the first time a non-play caller under McVay earned a head coaching job. Taylor was McVay's quarterbacks coach for one season in 2018 before he took the head coaching position with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2019 at age 36.

Scheelhaase has been with the Rams since 2024, first as an offensive assistant and passing game specialist before taking on his current role. Before he joined the Rams, Scheelhaase worked at Iowa State for five years as the Cyclones' wide receivers coach, running backs coach and running game coordinator before his final role as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

It's unclear where the Raiders are leaning in their head coaching search, but minority owner Tom Brady should be heavily involved in the decision-making for what could be a franchise-altering move.

This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Nate Scheelhaase named potential fit for AFC head coach job

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