With John Harbaugh officially out of the running, the Miami Dolphins are now facing a more wide-open coaching search-and the latest name rising to the top might surprise some fans.
According to new betting odds, Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley has emerged as the frontrunner for the Dolphins' head coaching job. Hafley currently sits at +175 odds, putting him ahead of Los Angeles Rams DC Chris Shula (+400), former Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski (+800), and Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak (+1000).
Now, before the Dolphins can make any hire, they still need to fulfill the Rooney Rule requirement by interviewing at least two minority candidates. But Hafley has already completed his interview with the team and has a notable connection to newly appointed general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, having worked alongside him in Green Bay. That familiarity could go a long way in this process.
What’s interesting here is how quickly Hafley’s name has gained traction-not just in Miami, but across the league. The Atlanta Falcons interviewed him today, and the Pittsburgh Steelers reportedly have plans to meet with him as well. That kind of interest speaks volumes about how he’s viewed inside NFL circles.
At 46, Hafley brings nearly 25 years of coaching experience to the table, with a résumé that spans both college football and the NFL. He made the leap to head coach in 2020 at Boston College, where he got off to a promising start.
The Eagles went 12-11 over his first two seasons before hitting a rough patch in 2022. But Hafley righted the ship in 2023, guiding BC to a 6-6 regular season and a signature win over No.
17 SMU in the Fenway Bowl-the program’s first bowl victory since 2016.
Then came the curveball: just a month after that bowl win, Hafley stepped down to become the Packers’ defensive coordinator. It was a move that raised some eyebrows, considering he was leaving a head coaching gig for a coordinator role.
But Hafley didn’t just land on his feet-he thrived. In 2024, he helped lead the Packers to a top-six defensive ranking, and the unit continued to perform well throughout most of 2025.
While offensive-minded head coaches have been the trend in recent years, Hafley is making a strong case for the value of a defensive leader who knows how to connect with players and elevate a unit. He’s shown he can build a culture, develop talent, and adapt at both the college and pro levels.
So, would Hafley be a fit in Miami? That’s the big question.
The Dolphins have a high-powered offense and a roster built to win now, but they’ve struggled to find consistency on the defensive side of the ball. Hafley’s ability to build a disciplined, high-performing defense could be exactly what this team needs to take the next step.
With multiple teams showing serious interest, the Dolphins will need to move quickly if they believe Hafley is their guy. One thing’s clear: he’s no longer flying under the radar.