With the announcement on Wednesday that defensive coordinator Vic Fangio would not be back in 2024, the Miami Dolphins have entered a coaching carousel. Who might succeed him?
There will be a big void on the Miami Dolphins coaching staff for 2024 after the team and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio reached a mutually agreeable decision to separate ways on Wednesday.
The decision is probably not all that stunning, given Fangio never felt like he belonged with Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, and the Miami defense was excellent despite Fangio’s constant sense of temporary status.
Early speculation suggests that Fangio would be thinking about returning to Pennsylvania to take up the Philadelphia Eagles’ available defensive coordinator position, which he was meant to accept prior to signing with the Dolphins last season.
Even while it appears Fangio will get off to a quick start with the Eagles, the Dolphins must now fill the position of defensive coordinator. Who could be a good fit for the position? We discuss a handful of the top candidates for the job.
Coach of the Miami Dolphins’ linebackers, Anthony Campanile
NFL: Dolphins (as of 2020)
College: Rutgers (2012–2015, Defensive Assistant, Tight Ends Coach, Wide Receivers Coach); Boston College (2016–2018, Defensive Backs Coach and Co-Defensive Coordinator); Michigan (2019, LB Coach);
The Dolphins’ most logical move would be to elevate linebackers coach Anthony Campanile to the post of defensive coordinator. Other teams are considering him for coordinator roles because he is a highly sought-after coach. Why not promote a young player, retain some consistency with the coaching staff, and keep him in Miami?
Former head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers, Brandon Staley
NFL: Head coach, Los Angeles Chargers (2021–2023); Defensive Coordinator, Los Angeles Rams (2020); Outside linebackers coach, Denver Broncos (2019); Outside linebackers coach, Chicago Bears (2017–2018).
College: Northern Illinois (2006-2008, Graduate Assistant); Tennessee (2012, Graduate Assistant); St. Thomas (2009, Defensive Line and Special Teams Coach); John Carroll (2013/2015-2016, Defensive Coordinator and Secondary Coach); James Madison (2014, Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers Coach).
The story linking former Chargers head coach Brandon Staley to the Dolphins surfaced almost immediately after Fangio’s departure from the team, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. As the defensive coordinator for the Rams, Staley’s defense was the best in the league and the highest-scoring defense throughout his tenure.
Possible Objectives
Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Shane Bowen
: Houston Texans (2016–2017, Defensive Assistant); Titans (2018–Present, Outside Linebackers Coach, Defensive Coordinator)
College: Georgia Tech (2009-2011, Student Assistant, Graduate Assistant); Ohio State (2012, Graduate Assistant); Kennesaw State (2013-2015, Linebacker Coach);
Although Bowen is officially still the Titans’ defensive coordinator, he is probably going to be let go eventually when the team bids farewell to Mike Vrabel and ushers in Brian Callahan as the next head coach in Tennessee. The New York Giants and the Jacksonville Jaguars have already granted him permission to interview. The Dolphins may also be keeping an eye on him.
Former defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles, Sean Desai
NFL: Chicago Bears (2013–2021, Defensive Quality Control Coach, Safety Coach, Defensive Coordinator); Philadelphia Eagles (2023, Defensive Coordinator); Seattle Seahawks (2022, Associate Head Coach and Defensive Assistant).
College: Miami (2011, Assistant Director of Football Operations); Temple (2006–2010, Graduate Assistant, Outside Linebackers Coach and Special Teams Coordinator); Boston College (2012, Running Backs Coach and Special Teams Coordinator);
Could the Eagles and Dolphins just switch coordinators? Although Desai had an interview for the Miami defensive coordinator position last year, Fangio’s hiring resulted in Desai joining the Eagles. It would appear like Philadelphia always knew Desai was a placeholder for a single season, given the haste with which they fired him and the obvious decision to sign Fangio this season. According to reports, Desai battled with confidence during the season and defensive assistant Matt Patricia took up Desai’s responsibilities after head coach Nick Siriani of the Eagles pulled him in. Would he regain the confidence to lead Miami’s defense if he moved there?
Chris Harris is the cornerbacks coach and defensive passing game coordinator for the Tennessee Titans.
NFL: Chicago Bears (2013–2014, Defensive Quality Control Coach); San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers (2016–2019, Assistant Defensive Backs Coach); Titans (2023–Present, Defensive Passing Game Coordinator and Cornerbacks Coach); Washington Commanders (2020–2022, Defensive Backs Coach).
Following his 2012 season of retirement, former safety Chris Harris entered the coaching ranks right away. The Dolphins may try to get him to South Florida, as he is now a highly sought-after candidate for coordinator.
Former defensive coordinator of the New York Giants, Wink Martindale
: Oakland Raiders (2004-2008, Linebackers Coach); Denver Broncos (2009-2010, Defensive Coordinator; Linebackers Coach); Giants (2022-2023, Defensive Coordinator); Baltimore Ravens (2012-2021, Linebackers Coach, Defensive Coordinator).
College: Cincinnati (1996–1998, Special teams and linebackers coach); Notre Dame (1994–1995, assistant coach); Defiance 1986–1987 (defensive coordinator); Western Kentucky (2000–2003, inside linebackers coach and defensive coordinator); Western Illinois (1999, linebackers coach and defensive coordinator);
Part of McDaniel’s appeal to bring Fangio on board stemmed from his background in comparison to the one season McDaniel had as head coach at the time. With two years under their belts and a defensive coordinator position still open, Miami may once again consider bringing on a seasoned assistant to bolster the staff. Although Martindale is a blitz-happy defensive play caller and Miami’s defense was founded on the blitz under Brian Flores and Josh Boyer, his defenses with the Giants the previous two years were not particularly impressive. Would they consider revisiting the idea of an extra rusher in 2024?
Former co-defensive coordinator of the New Orleans Saints, Kris Richard
NFL: Seattle Seahawks (2010)–207, Assistant Defensive Backs Coach, Defensive Backs Coach, Defensive Coordinator; Dallas Cowboys (2018)–2019, Defensive Backs Coach, Passing Game Coordinator; Saints (2021–2022), Defensive Backs Coach, Secondary Coach, and Co-Defensive Coordinator
USC (2008–2009, Graduate Assistant) is the college.
Despite not coaching the previous season, Richard had an interview to be the Dolphins defensive coordinator before to Fangio’s hiring. Is there a chance he will return this season? Richard, a former cornerback, signed a one-month contract with the Dolphins as a player, but he never played in a game and was cut a month after Miami traded for him from the Seahawks. Prior to the Dolphins hiring Brian Flores as head coach in 2019, he also conducted interviews for the role.
Former head coach of the Washington Commanders, Ron Rivera
Chicago Bears (2004–2006, Defensive Coordinator; 1997–1998, Defensive Quality Control Coach); Commanders (2020–2023); Carolina Panthers (2011–2019), Head Coach; San Diego Chargers (2007–2010, Linebackers Coach, Defensive Coordinator); Philadelphia Eagles (1999–2003, Linebackers Coach)
Like Martindale before him, Rivera may offer some expertise to the Dolphins coaching staff and act as a sounding board for McDaniel. After being let go by the Commanders, he interviewed this summer for the role as defensive coordinator with the Eagles, despite having held head coaching positions in his previous two gigs. After being let go by Washington, he did admit that there were moments when you had to step back and mature and that he had loved taking over the defensive play calling in Washington. Perhaps a return to the position of defensive coordinator is just what he needs.
Terrell Williams, defensive line coach and assistant head coach for the Tennessee Titans
NFL: New York Giants (1980–1990, Linebackers and Special Teams Coach, Defensive Coordinator); Denver Broncos (1978, Assistant Special Teams Coach and Defensive Assistant); Detroit Lions (1976–1977, Wide Receivers Coach, Assistant Special Teams Coach); Baltimore Colts (1975, Special Assistant); Patriots (2000–2023), Head Coach; 1996, Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Backs Coach; New York Jets (1997–1999, Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator)
Join them if you can’t defeat them. Could Belichick join the Dolphins since he was unable to defeat them? Hahahaha. You already know that if Belichick doesn’t get a head coaching job this summer, he won’t accept a role as a defensive coordinator. As of right now, he is only interested in obtaining Don Shula’s all-time winning record as a head coach. Still, it’s amusing to mention him here.
NFL: Head coach of the Buffalo Bills (2015–2016); Head coach of the New York Jets (2009–2014); Assistant Head Coach of the Baltimore Ravens (1999–2008), Defensive Coordinator, and Defensive Line Coach; Head Coach of the Arizona Cardinals (1994–1995, Defensive Line and Linebackers Coach)
College: Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator, New Mexico Highlands (1989); Eastern Kentucky (1987–1988, Graduate Assistant); Oklahoma (1998, Coordinator of Defense); Cincinnati (1996–1997, Coordinator of Defense); Morehead State (1990–1993, Coordinator of Defense).
Although I don’t think that will happen, it is certainly a possibility. Ryan has conducted interviews for jobs as defensive coordinators, most notably with the Denver Broncos in the previous season, but he doesn’t appear eager to accept a position simply to return to coaching. With this move, Ryan would make it three, having coached two of the four AFC East clubs in addition to the experience boxes Martindale and Rivera checked above.
