The Miami Dolphins have made their move - and it’s a bold one. Jeff Hafley, the former defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers, is officially taking over as the Dolphins' new head coach, signaling a fresh chapter for a franchise in the middle of a full-scale reset.
This hire wraps up an expansive coaching search that picked up serious steam in recent days. Miami cast a wide net, interviewing a range of defensive minds as they looked to replace Mike McDaniel, who was let go earlier this month after four seasons on the job. Among the final group of candidates were some high-profile names: Chris Shula from the Rams, Anthony Campanile from Jacksonville, Robert Saleh from San Francisco, and Jesse Minter from the Chargers.
Each brought something different to the table. Minter, for example, helped guide the Chargers to a top-five finish in total defense this past season and has been a hot name in coaching circles, drawing interest from multiple teams including Atlanta and Cleveland. Saleh, meanwhile, was the only candidate with previous head coaching experience - a notable distinction, especially considering Dolphins owner Stephen Ross has historically leaned toward first-time head coaches.
Campanile had strong internal ties, having coached linebackers in Miami from 2020 to 2023. He also shares a connection with newly hired general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, as both spent time with the Packers - Sullivan for over two decades before arriving in Miami earlier this month.
But in the end, it was Hafley who got the nod.
Hafley wasn’t just part of the defensive coordinator carousel - he was also among a broader group of candidates that included former Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski and Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. That wider net shows Miami wasn’t locked into one mold. They were looking for the right fit to lead a team that’s searching for a new identity.
And make no mistake: this is a team in transition. After going 7-10 this season, the Dolphins missed the playoffs for the second straight year and posted back-to-back losing records. The front office shake-up began in October when longtime general manager Chris Grier was let go - a move that signaled the franchise was ready to turn the page.
Now, with Sullivan in the front office and Hafley on the sideline, the Dolphins are clearly charting a new course. Hafley brings a defensive pedigree and a fresh perspective to a team that’s looking to rebuild from the ground up. The question now becomes: how quickly can he turn things around?
There’s work to be done in Miami, but for the first time in a while, there’s also a sense of direction. Hafley is the guy tasked with steering the ship - and the Dolphins are betting big that he’s the right one to do it.