Nate Scheelhaase is the Los Angeles Rams’ new offensive coordinator and could be one of the top candidates in the next head coaching cycle.
Scheelhaase has been with the Rams since 2024. He played quarterback for the University of Illinois and brought a range of experience that the Rams have used. Now, as the offensive coordinator, he will be more involved with the offense.
Coaching Experience
After playing at Illinois, he worked as the Assistant Director of Football Operations for Illinois, the running backs coach, and an offensive assistant. In 2018, he took a job at Iowa State and became the running back coach under head coach Matt Campbell. At Iowa State, he also became the wide receiver coach and running game coordinator from 2021 to 2022 and then the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2023.
In 2024, he made the jump to the NFL, becoming the Rams’ offensive assistant and passing game specialist. Last year, he was the pass game coordinator, and now he’s the team’s offensive coordinator.
Scheelhaase’s promotion may mean he’s on track to become a head coach soon. Sean McVay has been the Rams’ head coach since 2017, and all of his former offensive coordinators are now head coaches. The Rams’ offensive coordinator position is a pipeline to the head coach as shown by Matt LaFleur, Kevin O’Connell, Liam Coen, and last year’s Rams offensive coordinator, Mike LaFleur, who was recently hired as the Cardinals head coach. All the other coaches have been to the playoffs and are known as some of the best offensively minded head coaches in the league.
Responsibilities as Rams Offensive Coordaintor
While McVay calls the plays for the Rams, the offensive coordinator is heavily involved with the offense. Scheelhaase will work closely with positions coaches, lead weekly offensive install meetings and script practices. Since the offense is run by McVay, the offensive coordinator helps the offensive plan run smoothly.
As pass game coordinator, Scheelhaase likely helped only in the weekly pass plan, worked on route concepts and motions and worked on offensive counters to opposing defenses. He also works with the quarterback and wide receivers to make sure they know the game plans.
Importance as a Black Coach
The 35-year-old is in the best possible place for a head coaching position next season. He also can be added to the handful of Black head coaches. Last hiring cycle, there were no Black head coaches hired. Scheelhaase knows the importance that he serves in a profession with only a few Black coaches.
“A key component for Black coaches in college football or in the NFL is the belief by somebody that probably doesn’t look like them,” Scheelchaase said on the support and belief in Black coaches.
The up-and-coming coach has already interviewed for head coaching positions. This offseason he interviewed for head coaching positions with the Ravens, Bills, the Raiders, the Steelers and the Browns twice. While he didn’t land those jobs, he is now on the NFL’s head coaching radar, establishing familiarity with franchises around the league.