The Miami Dolphins’ search for a new head coach is heating up, and one name is starting to separate from the pack: Jeff Hafley.
While the Dolphins are still in the thick of their interview process - with virtual and in-person meetings lined up through the weekend and into next week - momentum is clearly building around Hafley, the current defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers. According to reports, Hafley made a strong impression during his initial virtual interview, positioning himself as an early frontrunner for the job.
What’s fueling the buzz? For starters, there’s familiarity.
Hafley worked closely with Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan during their time together in Green Bay. That connection matters - especially when you're trying to align a head coach and GM who can build a cohesive vision for a franchise.
Add in Hafley’s prior head coaching experience at Boston College, and you’ve got a candidate who checks a lot of boxes: NFL experience, college leadership, and a defensive mind that’s been tested at multiple levels.
Hafley has spent the past two seasons running the Packers’ defense, and while Green Bay’s unit has had its ups and downs, his coaching résumé runs deep. Before his time in Green Bay, Hafley led Boston College for four years and previously held assistant roles with the 49ers, Browns, and Buccaneers. His coaching roots also stretch back over a decade in the college ranks, giving him a well-rounded background that appeals to teams looking for both tactical sharpness and leadership ability.
But Miami isn’t the only team eyeing Hafley. He’s in high demand, with multiple teams - including the Titans, Falcons, Raiders, Cardinals, and Steelers - requesting second interviews.
That kind of league-wide interest speaks volumes about how Hafley is viewed within NFL circles. He’s not just a name on a list - he’s a serious contender in multiple head coaching searches.
In fact, Hafley is reportedly interviewing for the Steelers’ head coaching position today. And while nothing is set in stone yet, the Dolphins are clearly doing their homework, with an in-person interview scheduled with Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady and several others on deck for the coming week.
Meanwhile, the Packers are preparing for the possibility of losing their defensive coordinator. They’ve already begun evaluating potential replacements, signaling that they see the writing on the wall. Hafley’s stock is rising fast, and Green Bay knows it.
The Dolphins, like the rest of the league, can begin conducting in-person interviews with coaches currently under contract starting Monday. That’s when things could really start to move - and if Hafley continues to impress in the room the way he did virtually, Miami might not be waiting long to make a decision.
For now, nothing’s official. But if you’re looking for signs of where this coaching search is headed, all eyes are on Jeff Hafley.