Yes, it’s a long time ago now that Dave Shula was calling the shots near the start of a two-decade run known as the “Bungles.” Even longer since Dave’s father, the Hall of Famer Don Shula, appeared in the last of his six Super Bowl berths .
In fact, it’s all so long ago that a third generation — Dave’s son and Don’s grandson Chris Shula — is the linebackers coach for the Rams against the upstart Bengals in Super Bowl LVI. “Growing up going to training camp, I’d stay with my dad in the dorms with the players,” Chris said. “I’d go to practice, be a ballboy, and it was always something I knew I wanted to be a part of. The fact that I’ve been here five years, I almost have to pinch myself. Coaching in the Super Bowl is kind of a dream come true.”
Chris Shula, 36, and Rams head coach Sean McVay, 35, were college teammates at Miami-Ohio, which is nicknamed the “Cradle of Coaches” for producing the likes of NFL champions Paul Brown, Weeb Ewbank, John Harbaugh and many more. — as fast as anyone ever has, really — and hired Shula to his first Rams staff. Two promotions followed.“His passion for the game, his ability to lead and communicate with players and help them reach their highest potential [makes him] a phenomenal coach,” McVay said. “He sees the game through an all-22 perspective, knowing the defense but also how offenses are trying to attack.”