The Miami Dolphins' search for their next head coach is heating up - and it's getting extensive. With their latest outreach, the team has now contacted 11 different candidates, casting a wide net in hopes of landing the right leader to take the franchise forward after parting ways with Mike McDaniel at the end of the 2025 season.
Among the newest names in the mix: Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile and Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady. Both bring intriguing résumés, recent success, and ties to current NFL systems that could appeal to a Dolphins front office looking for a fresh direction.
Anthony Campanile: A Familiar Face with a Rising Stock
Anthony Campanile isn’t a stranger to South Florida. The 43-year-old spent four seasons with the Dolphins as their linebackers coach from 2020 to 2023, helping develop a physical, aggressive second level during his time under Brian Flores and later Mike McDaniel. After departing Miami, Campanile joined the Green Bay Packers in 2024, where he served as linebackers coach and defensive run game coordinator - a role that gave him even more responsibility and schematic control.
That experience positioned him well for his next leap. In 2025, first-year Jaguars head coach Liam Cohen brought Campanile to Jacksonville to run the defense, and the results were immediate.
The Jaguars finished in the top 10 in points allowed per game (19.8) and led the league in rushing yards allowed per game (85.6). That kind of defensive efficiency - especially against the run - doesn’t go unnoticed in a league where stopping the ground game remains foundational.
Campanile is known for his intensity, attention to detail, and ability to connect with players - traits that could resonate well in a locker room looking for leadership and identity. Given his familiarity with the Dolphins' organization and his recent success in Jacksonville, he’s a name worth keeping an eye on as Miami continues its search.
Joe Brady: A Young Offensive Mind on the Rise
At just 36 years old, Joe Brady has already built a reputation as one of the NFL’s more innovative offensive minds. He first made waves as LSU’s passing game coordinator during their 2019 national championship run, then jumped to the pros with the Carolina Panthers, serving as their offensive coordinator in 2020 and 2021.
After a stint as the Buffalo Bills’ quarterbacks coach in 2022 and 2023, Brady was promoted to offensive coordinator midway through the 2023 season, replacing Ken Dorsey. He held onto the job and entered 2024 with full control of the Bills’ offense - and the results spoke for themselves.
In 2025, Buffalo finished top five in both total yards per game (376.3) and points scored per game (28.3), while leading the entire league in rushing yards per game (159.6). That last stat is especially notable.
While the Bills have long been known for their aerial attack, Brady's ability to balance the offense and emphasize the run game added a new dimension to their scheme. That evolution could make him an attractive candidate for a Dolphins team that has struggled to find consistency on the ground in recent years.
Brady also brings experience working with high-level quarterbacks and crafting game plans that adapt to personnel strengths - two key traits for a team that’s still evaluating its long-term plans under center.
What This Means for Miami
By reaching out to both Campanile and Brady, the Dolphins are clearly exploring different philosophical directions - one rooted in defensive discipline and familiarity (Campanile), the other in offensive innovation and adaptability (Brady). Both candidates are relatively young, have recent success on their résumés, and offer upside as potential long-term leaders.
As Miami continues to vet its options, these two names add even more intrigue to a coaching search that’s shaping up to be one of the most comprehensive in recent franchise history. Whether the Dolphins lean toward a defensive-minded coach with organizational ties or a rising offensive architect remains to be seen - but either way, the team is doing its homework.