Really, Really Cool Background On Nate Scheelhaase’s Role With The Rams
January 27th, 2025
Rams offensive assistant Nate Scheelhaase.
One of the first names that popped as a Bucs offensive coordinator candidate was former Illinois quarterback, Iowa State offensive coordinator and Rams offensive assistant Nate Scheelhaase.
And after seeing a video produced by the Rams of what Scheelhaase does, and factoring in what Scheelhaase did at Iowa State, Joe is sold.
Basically, Scheelhaase gets intel from Rams guru Sean McVay on what he wants in an offensive gameplan. Then, on Tuesday nights, Scheelhaase builds the gameplan that players work on when they arrive in the building on Wednesday mornings.
So Scheelhaase quite literally makes McVay’s weekly offensive vision come alive each week. In other words, Scheelhaase has learned how McVay’s mind works.
Three guys who held the very same responsibility for McVay in previous years are either now head coaches or NFL offensive coordinators. That would be Zac Taylor with the Bengals, Liam Coen with the Jags and Zac Robinson with the Dixie Chicks.
While the book may still be out on Robinson, Taylor sure knows what he is doing on offense with the Bengals. Coen’s resume needs no explanation on this here website.
So next in line for a McVay disciple to be an offensive coordinator very well could be Scheelhaase, who is only 34 years old.
While at Iowa State, Scheelhaase displayed a knack for developing guys as a position coach and as an offensive coordinator. Scheelhaase had receiver Xavier Hutchinson (Houston) and running backs David Montgomery (Lions) and Breece Hall (Jets) while serving as a wide receivers coach and later running backs coach.
In his one year as an offensive coordinator, Scheelhaase molded then-freshman quarterback Rocco Becht (son of former Bucs tight end Anthony Becht) into the Big XII Freshman of the Year.
Given Scheelhaase’s demonstrated ability to develop and his background learning from the master, McVay, Scheelhaase is already Joe’s favorite Bucs offensive coordinator candidate.
Unless Joe’s pipe dream of Lincoln Riley comes true.
https://twitter.com/JFowlerESPN/status/1883590400902090974
January 27th, 2025 at 7:57 am
Yes… impressive football mind
January 27th, 2025 at 8:02 am
Agree-Hire Nate.
January 27th, 2025 at 8:03 am
We didnt know what Canales offense will look like.
We didnt know what Coens offense will look like.
We wont know exactly waht the new OCs offense will look like.
We will just have to wait and see.
January 27th, 2025 at 8:05 am
Sounds promising. Let’s not put all the eggs in one basket. Who else?
January 27th, 2025 at 8:05 am
For what it’s worth he is a minority….and if we keep him for 2 years then lose him to a HC job. We receive 3 3rd round comp picks.
No, not a reason to hire…..just a potential bonus.
January 27th, 2025 at 8:09 am
Excellent video. Nate Scheelhaase is the guy we need!
January 27th, 2025 at 8:13 am
Lincoln Riley is making $11 million a year right now. Get real.
January 27th, 2025 at 8:13 am
I realize that Bucs are doing their due diligence, but at this point it would have been nice for someone to pop so hard that the deal was made shortly after the interview and/or if they interviewed in person, that they didn’t let them leave the building.
January 27th, 2025 at 8:17 am
Does sound promising and exciting also he’s young 😊 just have to wait and see who else if any the Bucs bring in.
January 27th, 2025 at 8:20 am
Nathan Scheelhaase isn’t just a former Big Ten quarterback with 48 games under his belt—he’s also proven his ability to develop NFL-caliber talent at multiple skill positions. His coaching resume speaks for itself, having played a pivotal role in shaping several standout players who have transitioned to the next level.
Running Backs Developed:
* David Montgomery – Versatile, physical runner now thriving in the NFL
* Breece Hall – Dynamic playmaker with elite vision and breakaway speed
Wide Receivers Developed:
* Xavier Hutchinson – Reliable possession receiver with strong route-running ability
* Jaylin Noel – Shifty slot weapon with excellent YAC potential
* Jayden Higgins – Big-bodied target with impressive catch radius and contested-catch ability
Note: Both Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel could provide excellent value as late-round additions, bringing versatility and depth to the receiving corps.
With a proven track record of developing talent and firsthand experience under center, this kid brings a unique perspective that could greatly benefit our offense.
January 27th, 2025 at 8:22 am
How you describe Scheelhaase’s job Joe and input from Baker on a weekly game plan, this offense shouldn’t miss a beat. Sold.
January 27th, 2025 at 8:24 am
Coen walking out the door is not the end of the world. Time to bounce back and make something good happen. If this is the guy then so be it. There’s a lot of work to be done from now heading in to opening day. Finding a replacement for Coen only gets them back to a starting point. Fixing this defense is still a major challenge. Assuming that can be done at all with CTB .500 at the helm.
January 27th, 2025 at 8:24 am
he looks 16 years old
January 27th, 2025 at 8:31 am
LUV
As always thanks for “fleshing this out” for us. Ultimately I trust TB/JL and I gotta believe the Bucs OC job is the most inviting of all the teams.
Prior two OC’s stay only one year and move onto HC’s. The offensive cupboard is STOCKED. I never like to count the proverbial chickens but imagine IF…
CG14 comes back healthy! IF he can run the cones or whatever and show the Bucs he can still cut and move by all means SIGN him. Roll out the Brinks and worry about the Cap later.
Hell it would be hard to fail as OC with ME, CG, and now JMac along with Otton and Bucky and White out of the backfield.
My major question would be how do you feed all the hungry mouths there is only ONE football. Thankfully the Bucs two stars are unusually classy for NFL WR’s.
January 27th, 2025 at 8:33 am
@StPete
Your welcome Sr
January 27th, 2025 at 8:35 am
#Repost (Way Back Machine)
Per JBF “Best Available Players Today — Day 3 Of The NFL Draft”
LUVMYBUCS Says: April 29th, 2023 at 12:18 pm
Solid Offensive Prospects
WR
• Xavier Hutchinson <
• Antoine Green
• Andrei Isoivas
• Puka Nacua <
• Jalen Moreno-Cropper
TE
• Zack Kuntz
• Davis Allen
• Blake Whiteheart
• Payne Durham <
January 27th, 2025 at 8:39 am
I LOVE the way this sounds
January 27th, 2025 at 8:57 am
I’m sold…we need to keep the offense humming!
January 27th, 2025 at 8:58 am
He doesn’t make a nickel if he’s not working. Feel free to research his job security.
January 27th, 2025 at 9:08 am
I remember playing against Xavier Hutchinson in college. He made the Hawkeye secondary look like a bunch of E.J. Biggers.
January 27th, 2025 at 9:12 am
Either him or Grizzard. Sign one before we lose them
January 27th, 2025 at 9:13 am
Has never called plays. Deja vu. Pass
January 27th, 2025 at 9:14 am
Can we get some young looking coaches on the defensive side of the ball that clearly helped make a difference on offense. Addition by subtraction the Harold Goodwins but oh wait Bowles likes his coaches and players close to retirement
January 27th, 2025 at 9:15 am
Word around the program is that many players aren’t happy with how Riley runs the ship, which has led to USC’s mass exodus.
January 27th, 2025 at 9:25 am
Licht/Bowles know the clock’s ticking on OC hires. They have to get it done ASAP so they can get going in the player dept.They’ll get it done.
January 27th, 2025 at 9:32 am
Nate did call plays as the OC at Iowa State. He hasn’t called plays in the NFL but neither had Coen when we hired him.
January 27th, 2025 at 9:50 am
Sold. He’ll look great in blue and white as the Colts HC in 2026.
Mike McCarthy will need a job this year (he’s not going to get a TV gig). Maybe a proven performer instead of keeping the Bucs HC internship program running for a third consecutive season?
January 27th, 2025 at 9:57 am
At some point if the whole league is running the Shannahan/McVay offense, the advantage of running said offense will diminish. For the data drive types, neither Super Bowl team runs that offense. Bucs are setup to run the Philly offense pretty well. Maybe Patullo or Stoutland should be in the mix?
January 27th, 2025 at 10:25 am
Last night, we saw the impact a good play caller can have compared to an average one. Josh Allen is just as good as Patrick Mahomes head-to-head. The difference came down to play calling in key moments. The “tush push” wasn’t working, yet they refused to stop calling it. Even when Chris Jones lined up on the left guard — a position where the scouting report suggested Allen would run — the adjustments weren’t made, as the announcers pointed out.
Now, here’s my relevant question about the Bucs: Were the questionable play calls on Coen entirely his fault, or were the players simply not executing? Will he adapt and improve, or was he just a one-year wonder who has already peaked? Will Sean McVay and Shanahan’s offensive systems eventually become stale? All I know is that after watching last night’s game, it was clear that the difference came down to play calling, both offensively and defensively. The Chiefs, to me, clearly have far superior coaching and playcallers.
January 27th, 2025 at 10:27 am
Let’s get this guy he looks like he may be the next big thing. Plus if he does well for a couple seasons maybe we can replace Bowles with him.
January 27th, 2025 at 10:33 am
For the sake of continuity I would promote Grizzard or Carberry. I think it is important to not start all over again with new terminology, schemes and no learning curve. To not start over and be able to hit the ground running let’s our offense get a head start. Both of these guys know the system and have the most Jimmies and Joes on offense we have had maybe ever. If it ain’t broke don’t change it.
January 27th, 2025 at 10:45 am
West Coast offensive concepts have been shaped and refined over the past 60+ years by some of the greatest minds in football history.
Pioneers of the System:
-Sid Gillman
-Al Davis
-John Madden
-Bum Phillips
The Innovators:
-Bill Walsh
-Tom Flores
-Dennis Green
-Mike Holmgren
-Mike Shanahan
The Next Generation:
-Andy Reid
-Steve Mariucci
-Jon Gruden
-Bill Callahan
-Jay Gruden
Modern-Day Innovators:
-Kyle Shanahan
-Matt LaFleur
-Mike McDaniel
-Sean McVay
-Kevin O’Connell
Emerging Names to Watch:
-Brian Callahan
-Wes Phillips
-Jake Peetz
-Shane Day
-Bobby Slowik
From Walsh’s precision passing attack to Shanahan’s dynamic zone schemes, the West Coast offense continues to evolve.
January 27th, 2025 at 11:14 am
Let’s turn the focus to who the Defensive Coordinator will be. Might make it easier to hire and retain an offensive coordinator if there can be confidence in the defense to make a stop in critical situations once in a while.
January 27th, 2025 at 11:47 am
Yes! Then Baker can be 3 for 3 on OCs that move on to become head coaches.
January 27th, 2025 at 12:07 pm
Just ask Baker who he wants, and hire that guy.
January 27th, 2025 at 12:27 pm
I’m not looking it up because I really don’t care, but I’m assuming that Lincoln Riley’s contract is basically, FULLY Guaranteed (like most college coaches), or is a HUGE ‘Buyout’ at the very least. Plus, seems like they even included like a $6-MILLION HOME in his deal, as well. USC has been notoriously CHEAP with their athletic budget (especially when it comes to facilities, & etc.), so I have a real hard-time seeing HIM just ‘up and leave’ THERE, bypassing all that $$$$, to come HERE as OC and work for ‘peanuts’ in comparison. And, unless they just absolutely EXPLODE this season, I do NOT see USC paying THAT BUYOUT. Who knows thought, now that they BIG10 $$$$… But, he’s NOT just ‘walking away’ before this season. It’s getting awfully CLOSE to being a “Kentucky-STOOPS” situation there, & I can see Riley digging his heals in too, & going noooowhere.
January 27th, 2025 at 12:34 pm
Good stuff, drawing plays and calling plays are two different things. I would love a young coach to bring through the ranks if they do not believe Thad Lewis is that guy. Coming from BA, to Canales, to Coen, he has to have a system in place unless he has no desire to be a coordinator, which means he is hitching hi horse to Bowles who may not be here in two years. I do not believe Bowles is going to be like Pete Carrol, looking for a job in his 70s
January 27th, 2025 at 1:37 pm
In the video, he looks like he belongs on the Enterprise bridge.
January 27th, 2025 at 1:49 pm
@Joe
“He doesn’t make a nickel if he’s not working. Feel free to research his job security.”
Actually, he makes lots of nickels if he’s not working. Try $88 million if he’s fired. You walking away from that?
Okay, now back to reality where Big10 head coaches don’t walk way from mega millions jackpots to become NFL offensive coordinators.
January 27th, 2025 at 2:21 pm
For me, it always comes back to Bowles’ influence on the new OC.
The fact that he’s so young presents the risk of Bowles imposing his turtle philosophy on the offense. A more senior, established guy will be more easily able to push back.
If they’d have kept Coen and cut Bowles loose, we’d be talking about how our new DC was going to put together a D to match our high powered offense.
Instead, the defense is still a mess and our offense is a question mark.
January 27th, 2025 at 2:28 pm
Two big question marks now “O” and ” D” its a bucs life.
January 27th, 2025 at 2:38 pm
I can see it now: Scheelhaase takes the rest of the NFC South to the schoolhouse. Make it so.
January 27th, 2025 at 2:46 pm
@JOSH
All great questions and points about the value of “play callers”.
I still have one question in my mind about all of this.
Does it beg the cliche “an art not a science”. Perhaps some guys are born with a better “feel” for how the game is going, assessing their talent, the D they’re facing than others no matter how much experience!
I would mention Leftwich here but I honestly do not know how much was Leftwich and how much was Brady. The GOAT was not running any plays or signing off on any game plans HE didn’t agree with or actually think up.
January 27th, 2025 at 3:14 pm
Oh Noooo! Acccck!
January 27th, 2025 at 3:44 pm
He was my choice when first mentioned last week. Much better resume than Coen had.
January 27th, 2025 at 4:02 pm
I like this guy more and more, with every bit of it for we’re learning. I’d be perfectly happy to hire him and see what happens.
January 27th, 2025 at 4:05 pm
Watching this Liam Coen press conference, dude is a nervous wreck. Amazing how so many of you wanted this clown to be our head coach….
We have a respectable head coach, who is a leader of men right now, believe it or not.
January 27th, 2025 at 4:06 pm
On the outside looking in, I think that Scheelhaase would be great!
But, is this the year that an up and coming offensive mind wants to toss his job security to join the Bucs? Yes, he would have some great players. And, yes, he would have the last guy’s play book. But, this may be a tale of two Head Coaches with 10-7 records.
The 10-7 Rams won their division on a tiebreaker with Seattle. The 10-7 Bucs won their division two games ahead of the Falcons. The Rams won their division for the first time since 2021. The Bucs have won their division every year since 2021.
So, Bowles reportedly is the 5th highest paid Head Coach making $15 million/year, and McVay is the 31st or 32nd highest paid Head Coach in the last year of his contract making $3 million/year! Right???
So, the LA fans are DEMANDING that Sean McVay be fired, and the Tampa fans would barricade the streets before they let Bowles leave Tampa! Right???
But, of course, everything after the first two paragraphs is flipped 180 degrees!
10-7 with 3 consecutive division titles, and Bowles gets no respect! Bowles has won three times as many division titles in the last three years as McVay, and McVay makes five times as much as Bowles makes. Hmmm, does that sound right?
Bowles is in the last year of his contract with many fans calling for his immediate ouster despite his winning three consecutive division titles as he has rebuilt the roster of a team that has been in Cap Hell his entire tenure, and will not finish paying off its dead cap until next year.
So, the team just lost Kacy Rodger’s, its excellent defensive line coach and run defense coordinator. He is reportedly a close friend of Bowles, and yet he took what was technically a demotion to go to another team. Do you really want to come to Tampa, the land of lowball Head Coach salaries with ominous signs of pending regime change, and hope that you come out looking good; hope that you still have a job a year from now?
Passing game coordinator and inside linebacker coach Larry Foote is another guy who gets no respect in Tampa. But, try being the passing game coordinator and inside linebacker coach when your only three down starting quality linebacker is on the back end of a thirteen year career, the fifth rounder you were using for pass defense is lost for the year, your first rounder OLB is not a pass rushing success, and your five best defensive backs all miss chunks of the season. There are teams that recognize his talent and accomplishments, and, if Tampa loses him after having already lost Kacy Rodger’s, the Bucs are screwed. The only thing that might save them is drafting a couple of very good linebackers.
There are quite a few people who could be an adequate offensive coordinator for the Bucs, and one of them will surely jump at the chance if the Bucs offer them the job. But, I am not so sure that the top tier candidates will want to jump onto this ship with its mutinous fans, and with owners that don’t seem to value their Head Coach.
January 27th, 2025 at 4:15 pm
Thanks for the intel JOE. Deff makes me want him to be our OC too.
January 27th, 2025 at 4:38 pm
@stpetebucsfan… I was never a fan of BA’s offense. It worked when we needed it to work, no risk it no biscuit and all, I just wish we would have had a bit more motion, and frankly I like the short game, sometimes all you need is 10 yards at a time. BA was all about long developing plays, chunk yards whether it was there or not. Just seemed so high risk in some of the shots we took, and they didn’t all land. I think the only reason it worked for us is Tom Brady was our QB. In contrast I really liked what we were doing this season, 10 yards at a time. Motion, misdirection, run game was humming, when we got into rhythm, we were almost unstoppable.
That being said, I don’t think Leftwich was a bad play caller. Context is so important when engaging in these conversations. The 2022 team was not the same team as 2020 and 2021. Excluding all the personal drama of Brady going through his divorce, leaving training camp for a wedding, which I’m sure didn’t help to kick off the new season…but then, no Gronk, Jensen gets injured, which essentially led to completely revamped interior offensive line. Clearly that affected having a serviceable run game, and Brady’s time in the pocket, which is critical in Arians vertical offense.
Granted my theory tends to go straight out the window since Leftwich is no longer working in the NFL. Then again, we don’t know what kind of ego Leftwich was either. I’m curious how many orgs have called on him for QB coaching opportunity, passing-game coordinator type roles and he’s held fast waiting for an OC job? I can’t imagine he hasn’t gotten a sniff because of one 8-9 season, that included a division title and playoff game. Something isn’t adding up there.
January 27th, 2025 at 4:43 pm
Super Kool
January 27th, 2025 at 6:19 pm
Chip Kelly should be first priority!
January 27th, 2025 at 6:57 pm
Apologies if this double posts I thought the “machine” ate it the first time.
@Zoocomics!
Wow guy that is such a well written and well thought post!
Perhaps I’m biased because I agree with so much of it but what I really enjoyed is you tossed out some food for thought, and it was well written! Your review of that disastrous season, Brady’s last, Todd’s first, Leftwich handpicked by neither of them but inserted as a nod to BA. It is fun to try and imagine the REAL story of that season.
If I wasn’t so lazy, perhaps a great digger of facts like LUV I’d love to know the difference in personnel on the Bucs JW’s final season, and Brady’s first SB season. Brady obviously brought Gronk and “Playoff Lenny” had a good year but imagine this.
The Bucs used a #1 overall pick on JW. In 5 seasons he had ONE winning year 9-7. Overall he was 28-42 for a pathetic .400 win %. The team he finished with, largely the team Brady inherited, again add Gronk no small addition BUT
to go from 7-9 to the Super Bowl the next season is even more than what the Commanders did this season.
So again I have to eat a little crow. JJJoe was absolutely correct about the value of a franchise QB, just not which guy had the potential to be one.
As more food for thought on a “talking heads” show this afternoon I saw them debating, which QB will win a SB first, Allen, Burrows, or Lamarr?
IMHO there ARE elite QB’s and I get that, but there are also very good QB’s who can get teams to the promised land, can you say Brad Johnson..and MAYBE Baker Mayfield?
January 27th, 2025 at 7:23 pm
Tbbucs3 ain’t wrong. Coen was a jittery mess at the podium. Better to know now than insist he replaces Bowles at the 1st sign of trouble.
January 27th, 2025 at 7:35 pm
@Zoocomics
What a terrific post. Prompted some thinking and was very well written.
January 27th, 2025 at 7:38 pm
wow did anyone watch the coen presser…
just wow…just wow…duke is a goofball…
just watch after as he takes pictures with shad and the mayor…
give than guy some xanax…or something…
cheesy fosheezzy!
January 27th, 2025 at 7:47 pm
@Zoocomics
Since we’re just having fun spitballing here I have another question that addresses the beginning of the Brady era not the end.
So “Fameis” was a #1 overall pick of the draft. He had ONE winning season with an overall .400 win % and no trips to the playoffs. Brady came the next season with the only major additions, Gronk and DW45 in the draft.
How does a team go from 7-9 to winning a SB? Brady sure, Gronk yes and I do not look down on DW45 but aside from the QB’s the rosters were very close!
That turnaround makes what the Commanders did this season look perhaps different?
I’ve always felt there are elite QB’s that can lead teams to SB’s obviously Mahomes and Brady come to mind. Then there are very good QB’s when given the team can also win SB’s. Can you say Brad Johnson? How about Baker?
Not elite perhaps but very good like Brad and with the right team…
Postscript to all of this like you see at the end of Netflix movies.
Jamies Winston’s career is still unsettled in the football wasteland that is known as Cleveland.
Tom Brady won his 7th SB but then sadly hung on two years too long. Losing his marriage, ending on a truly sour note on the field with that momentum changing red zone int against the Cowboys his final game.
Baker Mayfield is still playing for the Bucs and hoping to finally make a deeper run into the playoffs.
January 27th, 2025 at 11:44 pm
If there isn’t a new DC by the beginning of April, this whole thing becomes the tragicomedy of the decade. With Todd being spread wafer thin between two huge, mega important jobs and having no one but himself to listen to regarding anything, we’re in for more of the same on defense. That means Jason has to go find guys on defense that can process Calculus 7 at light speed, play the cerebral multi-option zones, rush the passer, tackle, cover deep, cover flat…..and get all 11 guys to be able to have competency at all of that.
This is Todd Bowles vision. And it’s a beautiful vision. But unless you can start programming life like bots to play the game (and be undetected as non-human), it will result in more of the same only worse.
Cover guys that can’t cover or don’t know what to do. Rush guys that can’t rush or cover and don’t know what to do. Cover guys who telegraph their blitz and have it picked up while the 320 pound guy is trying to stay with Cee Dee Lamb. Linebackers who loom around and just wave their arms.
And LVD who tries to hold it all together.
A new DC is a much much much higher priority than the OC right now and the team’s actions are all we need to confirm – no new DC is coming.
So maybe we can finally be number 1, as in the absolute worst pass defense in the league instead of second worst.
January 28th, 2025 at 7:21 am
Great video Joe. Thank you.
January 28th, 2025 at 8:48 am
Baker does not need developing but others do. Main thing is to call plays that fit Baker’s strengths.
January 28th, 2025 at 3:52 pm
Agree with many, Marky mark points out Bake does NOT need developing-some on oline do! AND Yes, Play to FIT -not change-Bakers Strengths as they can be stronger with right supporting staff and teammates!!!!!
Joe-think u r right so far-Scheelhaase seems best fit and actually exciting hope so far!!!!