The Miami Dolphins continue their search for a new head coach on Wednesday, looking to find their replacement for Mike McDaniel, who was fired last week. New general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, hired by the team on Friday, is leading the hunt for thier next top coach, while Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman continues to serve as an outside advisor for the team.
Wednesday morning, the Dolphins announced they completed their interview with former Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski. The 2020 and 2023 NFL Coach of the Year was fired after his sixth season with Cleveland, ending his tenure with a 45-56 regular-season record.
This is a crazy year for coaching changes, with nine teams – more than a quarter of the league – looking for a new head coach this offseason.
Here are the rumored or reported coaches linked to Miami this offseason:
Anthony Campanile – Request
On January 14, Campanile, the Jacksonville Jaguars’ defensive coordinator, was added to the list of Dolphins interview requests. Campanile was the Dolphins’ linebackers coach from 2020 through 2023.
Patrick Graham – Request
The Dolphins requested an interview with Graham on January 13, adding him to the growing list of possible hires. He has been the Las Vegas Raiders’ defensive coordinator for four years, staying on despite the team’s head coaching changes. He has also served as the Dolphins’ defensive coordinator (2019), as well as holding the position for the New York Giants. He has also had stints with the Green Bay Packers and the New England Patriots.
John Harbaugh – Interest
The Dolphins have contacted Harbaugh about interest in scheduling an interview, but it does not seem to be the priority for the former Baltimore Ravens head coach. He has interviewed with the Atlanta Falcons already and is expected to interview with the Tennessee Titans and New York Giants.
Jeff Hafley – Request
Hafley is one of the hot names on the coaching carousel this offseason as he looks to land his first NFL head coaching position. The former Boston College head coach has spent the last two years with the Packers as their defensive coordinator. He is on the interview request lists for the Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Las Vegas Raiders, and Tennessee Titans. It would not be a surprise if the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are just starting their head coach search after Mike Tomlin stepped down on Tuesday, added Hafley as a candidate as well.
Klint Kubiak – Virtual Interview (1/10)
Under NFL rules, a coach from a team on a bye during Wild Card weekend can be interviewed virtually, then will be allowed to hold a second, in-person interview during the bye week before the Super Bowl if the team makes it that far. The Seattle Seahawks’ offensive coordinator conducted a virtual interview with the Dolphins on January 10, meeting the NFL’s rule. Kubiak has also drawn interest from the Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Las Vegas Raiders, and New York Giants.
Jesse Minter – Request
Looking for his first head coaching position, Minter is currently the Los Angeles Chargers’ defensive coordinator. He has worked at multiple teams at both the college and NFL levels during his career, including a four-year stint of various positions with the Baltimore Ravens. Besides the Dolphins, he has had interview requests from the Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Las Vegas Raiders, New York Giants, and Tennessee Titans. The Pittsburgh Steelers could look toward Minter as well.
Robert Saleh – Request
The former New York Jets head coach and current San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator appears set for his second head coaching opportunity. He has drawn interest from the Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, and Tennessee Titans, along with Miami.
Kelvin Sheppard – Request
Miami is the only team, so far, to have put in a request for Sheppard, who played linebacker for the team in 2014 and 2015. He started his coaching career in 2021 with the Lions as the outside linebackers coach, then was named the linebackers coach in 2022, assuming the title of defensive coordinator this year.
Chris Shula – Request
The name automatically means something when it comes to Miami, and the pressure for Shula could be ramped up if he is coaching in Miami, where his grandfather Don became a legend and the NFL’s all-time winningest coach. The current Los Angeles Rams’ defensive coordinator in on several teams’ radar this offseason, including the Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Las Vegas Raiders, New York Giants, and Tennessee Titans. Shula would make a ton of sense for the Steelers as well, whenever they start putting in their requests.
Kevin Stefanski – Interview (1/13-14)
The Dolphins completed their interview with Stefanski, the first in-person interview they held this year, on January 14. He has also had interviews or is expected to interview with the Atlanta Falcons, Las Vegas Raiders, New York Giants, and Tennessee Titans.
