Friday’s Zoom discussion with the Pittsburgh Steelers wasn’t the only virtual interview Nate Scheelhaase had lined up with an NFL team in search of a head coach. And listening to what some of those with whom Scheelhaase works in the Los Angeles Rams organization, it’s easy to see why he’s become arguably the hottest young up-and-coming coaching candidate.
“He’s a stud,” Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur told reporters in Los Angeles about Scheelhaase, his 35-year-old pass game coordinator. “He’s a better human than he is a coach, and he’s a really good coach. We’re very fortunate to have him.”
Judging by Scheelhaase’s list of suitors, the Rams probably won’t have him for long. The Steelers aren’t the only team with a head coach opening that has interest in Scheelhaase, who reportedly also was conducting a virtual interview Friday with the Las Vegas Raiders and another Saturday with the Baltimore Ravens.
A former second-team All-Big Ten quarterback at Illinois, Scheelhaase spent six seasons on the staff at Iowa State under newly hired Penn State coach Matt Campbell before joining the Rams as an “offensive assistant and passing game specialist” two years ago. The Rams promoted Scheelhaase to his current position last year.
“I’ll be honest with you,” said LaFleur, himself a candidate for head coach jobs, “when we brought (Scheelhaase) here, I thought he was going to say, ‘No.’ He had a really good job at Iowa State.
“We’re very happy that he did take that job. I’ve seen him grow, and he grows because he puts a lot of work in it. He’s a tireless worker.”
How involved is Passing Game Coordinator Nate Scheelhaase in the #LARams offense?
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He's the current "play-drawer" that Sean McVay has turned into successful head coaches across the #NFL time and time again.
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Scheelhaase joins Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak, Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver and Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula as those with whom the Steelers formally have requested interviews in their quest to replace Mike Tomlin as the fourth coach the team has had since the 1970 AFL/NFL merger.
Shula also was scheduled to be interviewed Friday, with virtual interviews with Minter and Hafley reportedly set for Saturday.
Kubiak joins Scheelhaase and Shula as the only known candidates whose teams are still alive in the postseason. The Rams play at the Chicago Bears in an NFC Divisional game Sunday, and Kubiak’s 49ers play at the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday.
“We wanted to do (the interview) after the (week’s) game plan and stuff was over,” Shula said to media Thursday. “You really find that window of time, which is after that Friday practice. Normally, you would go home, so that would be the best time to do it.
“Instead of going home to my kids, I’ll knock out some (job) interviews and then I’ll go home. That’s really about it, but full focus on the Bears.”
In-person interviews of current assistants on other teams are not permitted until Monday unless the candidate’s current team is still alive during conference championship week.
Scheelhaase wasn’t made available to reporters during the practice week, but those with the Rams who did speak gushed over him.
“A world-class communicator is the first thing that I think about (in regards to Scheelhaase),” Rams star wide receiver Puka Nacua said. “He’s somebody who in our room communicates to every individual in a unique style and allows us to feel very confident going out there on the football field.”
The Steelers’ pool of candidates to this points trends young. None is older than Hafley at 46. But Scheelhaase is the youngest of them all, turning 35 a little more than two months ago.
“You really can’t say a bad word about him,” Shula said. “He’s going to have a great (coaching) career.”
