The Miami Dolphins are moving swiftly as the NFL’s in-person interview window opens on Monday, setting the stage for a pivotal week in their head coaching search. While they’re still wrapping up virtual meetings, one name has emerged as a serious contender: Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. According to a report shared Saturday morning, Hafley is currently viewed as the frontrunner for the job.
But Hafley isn’t the only coach on Miami’s radar. The Dolphins are also set to conduct a virtual interview on Sunday with Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady - a rising name in coaching circles and someone who knows South Florida better than most.
Brady’s path to this point has been anything but ordinary. He stepped into the spotlight during the 2023 season when he took over play-calling duties for the Bills midseason.
After Buffalo fired Ken Dorsey following a 5-5 start, Brady was handed the keys to the offense. He shed the interim tag heading into 2024 and has held the OC role since, helping guide an offense that found its rhythm late in the year.
Before that, Brady served as the Bills’ quarterbacks coach in 2022, working closely with Josh Allen and helping to refine one of the league’s most dynamic QB talents. His resume also includes a stint as offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers in 2020 and 2021 - a time marked by quarterback instability but creative flashes in scheme and play design.
Of course, many still remember Brady’s breakout moment in 2019, when he served as the passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach for LSU’s historic national championship team. That offense, led by Joe Burrow and loaded with NFL talent, rewrote record books and turned Brady into one of the hottest young minds in football. Before LSU, he spent two seasons as an offensive assistant with the New Orleans Saints, learning under Sean Payton and soaking in one of the league’s most innovative offensive systems.
Brady’s coaching journey actually began on the defensive side of the ball - he was a linebackers coach at William & Mary in 2013 and 2014 before transitioning to offense. He also spent time as a graduate assistant at Penn State, continuing to build a foundation that’s made him one of the more well-rounded young coaches in the league.
And there’s a hometown connection here that’s hard to ignore. Born in Hollywood, Florida, and raised in nearby Pembroke Pines, Brady grew up just miles from Hard Rock Stadium. A return to Miami wouldn’t just be a professional step - it’d be a homecoming.
Now, timing becomes the key variable. If the Bills win their playoff matchup against the Denver Broncos on Saturday, Brady’s availability for an in-person interview will be delayed until at least January 26, after the AFC Championship game. But if Buffalo’s postseason run ends this weekend, the door could open for Brady to meet with the Dolphins face-to-face next week.
As Miami continues to evaluate its next leader, Brady’s offensive pedigree, local roots, and rapid rise through the coaching ranks make him a compelling candidate. Whether he gets the chance to pitch his vision in person next week may depend on how things shake out in Buffalo.