Rams promote Nate Scheelhaase to offensive coordinator

The Rams are promoting passing game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase to offensive coordinator, according to multiple media reports.

Scheelhaase, 35, has spent the past two seasons with the Rams after serving as offensive coordinator at Iowa State in 2023. He replaces Mike LaFleur, who was hired as the Arizona Cardinals’ head coach earlier this month.

Head coach Sean McVay said after LaFleur’s departure that he intended to have a wide-ranging search for his successor, but noted at the time that he felt good about the internal candidates on the Rams. Scheelhaase is the first assistant to be promoted to offensive coordinator during McVay’s nine-year tenure.

During his two years with the Rams, Scheelhaase has emerged as an integral part of the coaching staff. His football acumen put him at the center at the Rams’ integration of 13-personnel into the offense during the 2025 season. His high-energy style – frequently jumping into drills and lining up as a cornerback against receivers – is complemented by his ability to communicate with his players.

“His ability to communicate what our job is on Wednesday through Sunday is something that I’d say has been a blessing in our room,” receiver Puka Nacua said in January. “He does a great job of keeping his cool and then being able to communicate the message clear and precise so we can go out there and execute.”

In January, Scheelhaase interviewed for multiple head coaching vacancies, most notably the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns. But he will stick with the Rams for another year and look to become the fifth consecutive Rams offensive coordinator to earn a head coaching job.

He will have a veteran group of offensive assistants at his disposal. The Rams also reportedly added co-offensive coordinator to quarterbacks coach Dave Ragone’s title. Ragone, 46, has spent the past two years with the Rams and is highly regarded for how much he pours into every player in his room, not just starter Matthew Stafford.

The Rams have wide receivers coach Eric Yarber, offensive line coach Ryan Wendell, running backs coach Ron Gould and tight ends coach Scott Huff. They also added former Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury as an offensive assistant this month, though his official role has yet to be announced.