Browns request interview with Nate Scheelhaase, Rams pass game coordinator, for their head coach opening
CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Browns will try to tap into some of that Sean McVay magic.
On Sunday, they requested a head coach interview with Rams pass game specialist Nate Scheelhaase, 35.
The request, the fifth one made by the Browns in this cycle, comes just a day after the Rams beat the Panthers in the wild card round to advance to the divisional round.
Scheelhaase will be permitted to interview virtually with the Browns on Jan. 13th. The Browns might also request an interview with Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula.
In McVay’s sophisticated offense, Nate Scheelhaase has rapidly evolved from a collegiate standout into one of the NFL’s most coveted young offensive minds in the game.
He joined the Rams in 2024 as an offensive assistant and pass game specialist, and his impact was immediate; despite injuries to key veterans, he helped guide a unit that ranked 10th in passing yards. His success led to a promotion to Pass Game Coordinator for the 2025 season, where he oversaw a historic campaign from Matthew Stafford, who led the league with 4,707 passing yards and 46 touchdowns. His ability to reduce mistakes—highlighted by the receiving corps recording only 15 drops in his first year—has made him a hot commodity in the 2026 coaching cycle.
Before ascending the NFL ranks, Scheelhaase was a legendary figure at the University of Illinois. A four-year starter at quarterback, he remains the program’s all-time leader in total offense with 10,634 yards. He transitioned to coaching at his alma mater before spending six pivotal seasons at Iowa State (2018–2023). Under Matt Campbell, he rose from running backs coach to offensive coordinator, orchestrating some of the most productive offenses in Cyclone history and mentoring NFL talents like Breece Hall and David Montgomery.
Scheelhaase’s philosophy is rooted in efficiency and psychological deception. He specializes in using pre-snap motions, shifts, and “illusion of complexity”—presenting similar looks to the defense before executing vastly different plays. By blending familiar concepts that players find comfortable with innovative “stolen” designs from across the league, he simplifies the game for his quarterback while creating a “track meet” atmosphere for his receivers.
As the 2026 coaching carousel heats up, Scheelhaase will be on many teams’ radar.
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