Rams defensive coordinator, Chris Shula, could be on his way to becoming a head coach after next season. After this past season, he interviewed for several head coach openings. If hired, his absence wouldn’t leave the Rams helpless. The Rams have a few options to hire from within the organization.
Since Shula became the defensive coordinator in 2024, the Rams have had a decent defense. In 2024, the defense was average ranked 26th in yards allowed 17th in points allowed and 14th in takeaways. The Rams 2024 draft class was good defensively, selecting Jared Verse, Branden Fiske and Kamren Kinchens. All three have become pivotal in the Rams defense. In 2025, the team became better defensively finishing 10th in points allowed per game and fifth in yards allowed per game.
Shula was the Rams pass rush coordinator and linebackers coach before he was promoted to defensive coordinator and succeeded Raheem Morris who became the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons.
Shula is a good defensive coordinator but if he leaves, McVay has some good candidates to choose from his coaching staff.
Options in the Franchise
Jimmy Lake
Jimmy Lake is the safest choice. Lake was an assistant head coach with the Rams in 2023, after being the head coach for the University of Washington. He was hired as the defensive coordinator for the Falcons in 2024 but fired after one season. While the Falcons were mid-tier defensively, the defensive roster was not filled with stars. Justin Simmons led the unit with four interceptions and the sacks leader was Matthew Judon with 5.5. Now, Lake works as a senior defensive assistant with the Rams.
When the Rams won the Super Bowl in 2021, Raheem Morris was the defensive coordinator but he wasn’t extraordinary. The Rams defense was 15th in the points allowed per game at 21.9, bottom half in pass defense at 241.7 per game and middle of the league in total yards per game at 344.9. The Rams don’t need an extraordinary defense, especially with Sean McVay calling plays, Stafford at quarterback and Puka Nacua catching most of the passes. Lake could be a serviceable defensive coordinator.
Aubrey Pleasant
The most realistic choice is Aubrey Pleasant. Pleasant is the current assistant head coach and passing game coordinator. For years he has worked as a defensive backs coach, starting his coaching career at Grand Blanc High School in Flint, Michigan. He has also worked as a defensive backs coach for the Rams in 2023 before being promoted to assistant head coach in 2024.
He still works closely with the defensive backs which finished the season 13th in passing yards allowed, seventh in passing touchdowns and sixth in completion rate allowed. Pleasant was recently a requested interview candidate in the hiring cycle this offseason. The Cardinals, Browns and Raiders were interested in hiring Pleasant for their vacant defensive coordinator openings. The assistant head coach is most likely the best option if Shula leaves. Shula’s experiences were similar to Pleasant’s when he was promoted and the same success could be found with Pleasant.
Giff Smith
Dec 7, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive line coach Giff Smith against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Giff Smith would be the wild card hire. Smith is the current defensive line coach and run game coordinator and is the biggest risk if hired. The Rams defensive line ranked first in run defense and graded top 10 in pass defense. This season, Pro Football Focus (PFF) ranked the Rams defensive line an 85.6 which ranked fifth overall among teams. The unit’s strengths relied on the ability to take the runaway and generate effective pressure on the opposing quarterback. Smith hasn’t held a higher position other than a position coach except the Chargers interim head coach in 2023. His lack of experience shouldn’t discourage any potential hiring, as there have been crazier promotions throughout the league. Smith is the only one of the three that has found success with his unit and he could be an interesting choice for defensive coordinator.
Main Image: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images