Dolphins Lose Out on Stefanski as Falcons Lock In Their Next Head Coach
The Miami Dolphins’ head coaching search just took a major hit. Kevin Stefanski, who had already completed one interview with the team, won’t be returning for a second. That opportunity is off the table now - Stefanski is heading to Atlanta.
The Falcons didn’t let him out of the building. After meeting with Stefanski on Saturday, they moved quickly and decisively, locking him in as their next head coach. It’s a big move for Atlanta, which now pairs the two-time NFL Coach of the Year with newly minted team president Matt Ryan as they reshape the franchise from the top down.
Meanwhile in Miami, it’s another swing and miss in a search that’s starting to feel more reactive than strategic. The Dolphins had Stefanski on their radar and were reportedly planning a second interview for next week.
But as has happened more than once this cycle, another team moved faster. First it was John Harbaugh, who never made it out of New York.
Then Matt LaFleur re-upped in Green Bay before Miami could get serious. Now Stefanski is off the board, too.
There’s been noise around Jeff Hafley, the Packers’ defensive coordinator, but reports indicate Miami hasn’t been fully sold. That hesitation could prove costly.
Hafley has four more interviews lined up next week - with the Titans, Steelers, Ravens, Cardinals, and Raiders all still searching for their next head coach. If the Dolphins want Hafley, they’ll need to act with a sense of urgency they haven’t shown thus far.
It’s a tricky spot. Hafley is a rising name with college head coaching experience at Boston College, but building a complete NFL staff is a different animal. For a first-time NFL head coach, that process takes time - and time is something Miami keeps losing.
As it stands, the Dolphins' shortlist seems to be narrowing. Chris Shula is in the mix, and Robert Saleh is another name drawing internal interest. Some fans are calling for former linebackers coach Anthony Campanile to get a serious look, but by most accounts, he’s not quite ready for the leap.
All of this is happening under the shadow of a bigger question: Why did owner Stephen Ross move on from Mike McDaniel if this was the plan? McDaniel had his ups and downs, but he also had support from the locker room and showed flashes of offensive creativity. If Ross had a bigger name in mind - someone he thought he could lure to South Florida - that plan hasn’t materialized.
Instead, Miami is left sorting through a shrinking pool of candidates while other teams make their moves. The Dolphins still have options, but the clock is ticking. If they’re serious about Hafley, they’ll need to make their pitch - and soon - before another team beats them to it.