The Cleveland Browns are casting a wide net in their head coaching search, and one of the latest names on their radar is Rams pass game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase. It’s an outside-the-box move and not the kind of headline that lights up social media, but it’s an interesting one if you’ve been paying attention to how coaching pipelines are shifting.
Scheelhaase might not be a familiar name to every NFL fan, but Big 12 folks will recognize him from his time at Iowa State. He spent six years on Matt Campbell’s staff in Ames, working as a running backs coach, wide receivers coach, and eventually offensive coordinator. That’s a rare run of continuity in the college world, and it shows the kind of trust and growth he had inside that program. He didn’t just hang around; he moved up and took on more responsibility every year.
Now he’s with the Rams, serving as the pass game coordinator for one of the more innovative offenses in the NFL. It’s Sean McVay’s show, no doubt, but being in that building and around that system puts you in the loop on how to scheme at a high level. The Rams led the league in passing yards this year and had one of the most productive offenses in football. Scheelhaase’s fingerprints are on that, and that’s likely what caught Cleveland’s eye.
This isn’t a case of the Browns locking in on a finalist. They’ve already talked to guys like Jim Schwartz and Tommy Rees, and they’re still looking around. What this does show, though, is a willingness to think beyond the usual names. They’re giving a look to a younger guy with NFL experience and a strong college background, and that combination is becoming more valuable every year.
Right now it’s just an interview request, but it’s one worth keeping an eye on. The Browns are doing their homework, and Scheelhaase is getting a shot to show what he’s got.
