The Eagles are still searching for their next offensive coordinator, and while they didn’t land Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, they’ve turned their attention to one of his most trusted lieutenants.
Philadelphia recently interviewed Frank Smith, who served as the Dolphins’ offensive coordinator during McDaniel’s tenure in Miami. Smith, 44, brings a deep and varied coaching résumé that stretches back over two decades, including the last four seasons helping shape one of the league’s most explosive offenses-at least at its peak.
Let’s break it down: under Smith, the Dolphins finished sixth in total offense in 2022 and topped the league in 2023. That’s no small feat in today’s NFL, where defensive schemes evolve weekly and offensive consistency is hard to come by.
However, the past two seasons saw a noticeable drop-off, with Miami falling to 18th and then 26th in offensive production. It’s a stark contrast, and one that certainly raises questions-but also speaks to the highs Smith is capable of reaching when the pieces align.
Smith’s coaching journey started at Miami of Ohio-fittingly known as the “Cradle of Coaches”-and it’s easy to see why. That program has churned out football minds like Paul Brown, Bo Schembechler, John Harbaugh, and Sean McVay. Smith cut his teeth there as a grad assistant before moving to Butler, then made the jump to the NFL in 2010 under Sean Payton with the Saints, working as an assistant offensive line coach.
From there, Smith’s path wound through several key NFL stops. He coached tight ends for the Bears under John Fox, working alongside names familiar to Eagles fans like Sean Desai, Mike Groh, and Vic Fangio.
He then moved to the Raiders, again as a tight ends coach, before joining Brandon Staley’s Chargers staff in 2021 as the run game coordinator. When McDaniel took the reins in Miami in 2022, he handed Smith his first offensive coordinator role.
And while the Dolphins’ offensive rankings fluctuated during Smith’s four-year run, the overall body of work is solid. Miami ranked 12th in scoring, eighth in passing yards, 16th in rushing, eighth in total yards, and fifth in yards per play during that span. Those are numbers that suggest a coach capable of building and sustaining a high-powered attack-especially through the air.
While Smith and Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni haven’t coached together, there’s a bit of shared history. Both played college football in Ohio from 1999 to 2003-Sirianni at Mount Union and Smith at Miami of Ohio. It’s a small connection, but one that could help build chemistry if Smith lands the job.
This hire will be a critical one for Philadelphia. The Eagles are coming off a frustrating offensive season, and with Kevin Patullo out after just one year, the next offensive coordinator will be Jalen Hurts’ seventh play caller in as many NFL seasons.
That kind of turnover isn’t ideal for a quarterback trying to find rhythm and consistency. It’ll also be Sirianni’s fifth OC in six years-another sign that the Eagles are still searching for the right long-term fit to pair with their offensive identity.
Smith isn’t the only name in the mix. The Eagles have cast a wide net, interviewing or expressing interest in a variety of candidates. That list includes Dolphins passing game coordinator Bobby Slowik, former Giants head coach Brian Daboll, ex-Falcons OC Zac Robinson, former Chiefs OC Matt Nagy, and others like Josh Grizzard, Mike Kafka, and Texans QBs coach Jerrod Johnson, who spent time with Sirianni back in Indianapolis.
They’ve also been linked to Colts offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter and Bears assistant Declan Doyle, though it’s unclear if formal interviews have taken place.
Bottom line: The Eagles are doing their homework. And with the offensive struggles of the past season still fresh, they know this hire could be pivotal-not just for Hurts’ development, but for the team’s long-term trajectory.
Frank Smith brings experience, a track record of success, and familiarity with modern offensive concepts. Whether that’s enough to earn him the job in Philly remains to be seen, but he’s firmly in the conversation.