The Miami Dolphins are shopping for a new head football coach.
Mike McDaniel’s firing on Jan. 8 was the first step and the hiring of Jon-Eric Sullivan as the team’s new general manager was the second step.
Now, it’s on to contacting prospective coaches and setting up interviews.
The whale in the room is John Harbaugh, who was fired by the Baltimore Ravens this week. But he is going to be the New York Giants head coach and it’s not really clear if the Dolphins ever were seriously on his radar with all their salary cap issues and who’s-going-to-replace Tua Tagovailoa mess. The Giants have Jaxson Dart at QB, the team’s first-round pick last year and a lot of salary cap room.
Here is the latest news on the Dolphins’ front:
Jesse Minter, Robert Saleh interviewing with Dolphins
Two of the candidates that the team had contacted are reportedly getting interviews today. Minter, the Chargers defensive coordinator, is on the coaching lists of many teams.
Since Saleh’s current team, the 49ers, is still in the playoffs, the defensive coordinator’s interview will be virtual, per NFL rules. San Francisco plays at Seattle on Jan. 17.
Dolphins request Anthony Campanile interview
The Dolphins want to interview Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile, says NFL Network.
Campanile is a former Dolphins assistant coach who has been praised for his work in Jacksonville.
Campanile also has a tie to Miami’s new GM, having coached in Green Bay.
He also coached at Michigan. The Dolphins’ owner and CEO are Michigan men.
Dolphins show interest in 2019 DC Patrick Graham
NFL Network reported that the Dolphins requested an interview with Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, 46.
Graham was Miami’s defensive coordinator in 2019. That season, the Dophins ranked 31st in total defense and 32nd in points allowed.
Since then, he has served as DC on the Giants and Raiders, with his teams never placing higher than 22nd in total defense. They were ninth in fewest points allowed in 2020 (Giants) and 2023 (Raiders).
Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter on Dolphins list
Minter reportedly has interview requests from the Dolphins as well as the Browns, Cardinals, Falcons, Giants, Raiders, Ravens and Titans.
Yes, all 8 teams currently looking for a new coach.
First up are the Titans and Cards, reportedly talking to both teams Jan. 13.
Kevin Stefanski interviewing with Dolphins
The former Cleveland Browns coach will interview with Miami on Tuesday, Jan. 13, according to NFL Network.
Stefanski, two-time NFL Coach of the Year, previously interviewed with the Titans, Giants, Falcons and Ravens.
Stefanski, 43, was 45-56 with the Browns. He had two 11-win seasons but also 3-14 and 5-12 records in the past two seasons.
Klint Kubiak interviews with Dolphins
Klint Kubiak, the Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator, interviewed with the Dolphins on Jan. 10, the team announced.
As the NFC’s top seed, the Seahawks have a bye this weekend. According to NFL hiring rules, a head coaching interview with a coordinator of a playoff team on a bye must be held virtually. Klint Kubiak is the son of former Broncos and Texans head coach Gary Kubiak and has been coaching on the pro and collegiate level for the last 15 years.
Robert Saleh, Kevin Stefanski, Chris Shula also on Dolphins’ list
Other coaches who reportedly have been contacted by the Dolphins:
Mike McDaniel has been contacted by four NFL teams
Mike McDaniel has at least four interviews lined up to fill NFL coaching openings. Those teams are the Browns, Falcons, Titans and Ravens.
McDaniel is also scheduled to interview for the Lions offensive coordinator opening. Former Dolphins interim head coach Dan Campbell is the Detroit head coach.
Mike McDaniel might not be out of work for long
McDaniel has been linked to the Titans job and apparently will be getting an interview.
There also is obvious speculation that some team would seek to hire McDaniel as its offensive coordinator or some position on offense since that is what he was doing for San Francisco when Miami hired him.
Ex-Dolphins assistant Darren Rizzi interviewing with Giants
Darren Rizzi, Broncos’ special teams coordinator and a former Miami assistant, is interviewing virtually with the Giants on Jan. 10. Denver is the AFC’s top seed and, thus, has a bye this weekend.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Dolphins coaching search tracker: 10 on list, who’s next to interview?
Reporting by Joe Schad and Hal Habib, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
