The Rams could suffer a major loss after latest college football shakeup and there’s nothing they can do to stop it
The Los Angeles Rams could lose a key assistant in Nate Scheelhaase to the Iowa State Cyclones
After one of the most hilarious coaching searches of all time, the Penn State Nittany Lions have seemingly found their next head coach, hiring away Matt Campbell from Iowa State. While that turns out to actually be a solid hire (and one that probably should have happened weeks ago), it could put the Los Angeles Rams in a bit of a bind.
With that role leading the Cyclones opening, the Rams could potentially lose a key assistant as Iowa State looks to find his replacement as soon as possible.
Scheelhaase a key cog in the Rams’ machine
Scheelhaase cut his teeth with the Cyclones for years. Before joining the Rams, he served as the offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach (2023) after spending two years as the run game coordinator, running backs coach, and wide receivers coach (2021-22). Before splitting duties for the Cyclones, Scheelhaase coached the receivers for two seasons (2019-20) and the running backs for one season (2018).
With the Rams, he’s quickly expanded his role and responsibilities, going from just an offensive assistant to their Passing Game Coordinator in a single season. In Los Angeles, Scheelhaase was Sean McVay’s “play-drawer”, a role that other coaches like Zac Taylor and Liam Coen once held under McVay.
Now, Scheelhaase occupies the Passing Game Coordinator role. A Passing Game Coordinator is an expanded assistant role, focused on the passing game as the name would suggest. They coordinate the passing game, essentially coaching specific passing situations (third downs, two-minute drills, red zone passes) and working with the offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach, and wide receivers coach to design, game plan, and coordinate the team’s passing attack. PGCs have more say in the offensive process than any non-position coach (if they, of course, aren’t a position coach themselves). In some cases, a team’s PGC can be the spark of innovation the team needs to unlock something different about their approach.
Obviously, the Rams are wildly successful through the air this season, thanks to the play of Matthew Stafford and addition of Davante Adams. However, LA has rebuilt their passing game and consistently evolved it this season in ways they haven’t in prior years, and I believe part of that to be Scheelhaase’s influence.
Given his success under McVay, who has already built one of the best coaching trees in the NFL, and his history at Iowa State, it’s not a surprise to hear Scheelhaase already garnering interest from the Cyclones.
Los Angeles Rams News
Los Angeles Rams Report Card: Surprises, standouts, and disappointments after two thirds of the 2025 season
The Los Angeles Rams are the top team in the NFL, with a Super Bowl on their mind
