The Miami Dolphins are deep into their head coaching search, and this week, they cast a wide net across the defensive side of the ball. Four more candidates have interviewed for the vacancy left by Mike McDaniel, as the franchise looks to reset after back-to-back losing seasons.
Among the latest names to meet with the Dolphins brass: Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula, Jaguars DC Anthony Campanile, 49ers head coach Robert Saleh, and Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter.
Let’s start with Minter, who’s one of the hottest names in this coaching cycle. He helped guide a Chargers defense that ranked fifth in total defense this season - no small feat given the injuries and inconsistencies that group dealt with.
Minter’s also drawing attention from multiple teams; he’s already interviewed for the head coaching jobs in Atlanta and Cleveland, and several other franchises - Baltimore, Las Vegas, Pittsburgh, and Tennessee - have put in interview requests. That kind of demand speaks volumes about how highly he's regarded around the league.
Then there’s Robert Saleh - the only candidate in this group with previous head coaching experience. That’s notable for a Dolphins franchise that, under owner Stephen Ross, has exclusively hired first-time head coaches. Saleh’s presence in the mix could signal a potential shift in philosophy, especially as Miami looks to stabilize a team that’s been spinning its wheels in recent years.
Campanile’s name might ring a bell for Dolphins fans. He coached the team’s linebackers from 2020 to 2023 and has a strong connection to new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan.
The two overlapped in Green Bay in 2024 when Campanile was in charge of the Packers’ linebackers and Sullivan was wrapping up a 22-year run in the front office. That familiarity could carry weight as the Dolphins look to build a cohesive leadership team from the top down.
Chris Shula, meanwhile, comes from a Rams defense that’s been consistently competitive under his watch. While he may not have the same headlining buzz as some of the others, his pedigree and experience in a high-level organization make him a compelling candidate.
This latest round of interviews follows a broader search that’s also included Green Bay defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, former Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski, and Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. It’s clear the Dolphins are casting a wide net - offense, defense, experienced names, and fresh faces - as they try to find the right leader to steer the team out of its current rut.
After a 7-10 finish this season, Miami is in full reset mode. The team missed the playoffs for a second straight year, and longtime GM Chris Grier was let go in October.
McDaniel, who spent four seasons with the team, was dismissed earlier this month. Now, with Sullivan in place as the new GM, the coaching search takes center stage - and the decision they make in the coming weeks could define this next chapter of Dolphins football.