The Dolphins are casting a wide net in their search for a new head coach, and on Thursday, they checked off two more high-profile names: Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter and 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. Both interviews are now in the books, and both candidates bring serious credentials and momentum into the process.
Let’s start with Minter, who’s become one of the hottest names in this year’s coaching carousel. Every team with an opening has put in a request to talk to him-and for good reason.
After following Jim Harbaugh from Michigan to the Chargers in 2024, Minter made an immediate impact in his first year as an NFL defensive coordinator. His units in Ann Arbor were disciplined, aggressive, and consistently among the best in the country, and he’s managed to carry that same edge into the pros.
Minter’s coaching résumé is deep and diverse. He’s worked at a range of collegiate programs-Vanderbilt, Georgia State, Indiana State, Cincinnati, and Notre Dame-before making the leap to the NFL with the Ravens, where he spent four years from 2017 to 2020. That Baltimore stint gave him a solid foundation in NFL defensive principles, and he’s built on that ever since.
Then there’s Robert Saleh, who’s no stranger to the Dolphins-or to head coaching roles. He’s currently in his second tour as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator, having rejoined the team this season after his head coaching run with the Jets. Saleh originally held the DC role in San Francisco from 2017 to 2020, where he helped engineer one of the league’s most feared defenses.
Saleh’s NFL journey has taken him through several respected organizations, including the Jaguars, Seahawks, and Texans. His defenses are known for their physicality, speed, and relentless pursuit of the ball-traits that would fit well with the Dolphins’ current roster makeup.
These two interviews are part of a broader, strategic effort by Miami to find the right leader for the next phase of the franchise. The Dolphins have already spoken with Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, and former Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski.
And they’re not done yet. They’ve requested interviews with Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard, Rams DC Chris Shula, Jaguars DC Anthony Campanile, and Raiders DC Patrick Graham.
It’s clear the Dolphins are prioritizing defensive-minded candidates, many of whom have either recent head coaching experience or have been groomed in elite systems. With so many strong options on the table, Miami is doing its due diligence to find a coach who can not only elevate the defense but also lead a locker room ready to contend.