The Baltimore Ravens just checked another name off their head coaching interview list, and it happens to have a nice Big 12 connection. They’ve completed an interview with Rams pass game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase as part of their search for a new head coach. Scheelhaase’s interview isn’t breaking every sports feed, but for Big 12 fans, it’s a solid little note because of where he came from and who he worked with.
Scheelhaase is still pretty young as NFL coaching candidates go at 35, but he’s worked his way up steadily. He’s the pass game coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams, a staff that ranked first in the league in passing yards this season, and that’s put him on people’s radar as a fresh voice with offensive creativity. The Ravens announced they completed his interview on Saturday, and he’s now officially in the mix with some of the other well‑known names they’ve looked at for their top job.
What makes this interesting from a Midwest and Big 12 angle is Scheelhaase’s past with Iowa State. He spent six seasons with the Cyclones under Matt Campbell, working in various offensive roles, including offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. That’s where a lot of folks really started to take notice of his offensive mind, and it’s that experience in a competitive league like the Big 12 that probably helped him earn opportunities at the next level.
From Iowa State to the NFL, his coaching path reads like a blend of big programs and rising systems. At Iowa State, he wasn’t some guy in the background. He coached running backs and wide receivers, then took over the offense at a Power Four school. That kind of breadth is exactly what NFL organizations like to see when they’re hunting for head coaches who can manage all phases of a team and speak to their larger vision.
The Ravens haven’t made a hire yet, and their list is long and varied. They’ve interviewed and scheduled meetings with a bunch of candidates. Scheelhaase joining that group shows there’s real interest in bringing in newer voices alongside the more established names.
This interview might not be the flashiest headline of the day, but it’s a nice nod to the coach pipeline between the college game and the NFL. Seeing a guy with genuine Big 12 roots get his shot on the next level is worth a mention, especially when that link leads right back to a place like Iowa State that’s produced some really sharp offensive minds.
