The Miami Dolphins have finalized an agreement with Jeff Hafley, appointing him as their new head coach. This decision comes after the departure of former coach Mike McDaniel, who was relieved of his duties after a 35-33 record over four seasons. The Dolphins also parted ways with long-serving general manager Chris Grier.
Hafley, who previously served as the defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers, recently underwent a second round of interviews with the Dolphins before being offered the coaching position. He will be reuniting with the new Dolphins general manager, Jon-Eric Sullivan.
Having left his role at Boston College in 2024 to join Green Bay as a defensive coordinator, the 46-year-old Hafley brings a wealth of experience, having also coached defensive backs for the San Francisco 49ers and the Cleveland Browns. Sullivan, who transitioned from the Packers to become the Dolphins’ general manager, brings 22 seasons of experience from Green Bay to his new role.
The hiring of Hafley aligns with Dolphins owner Stephen Ross’ strategy of selecting candidates without prior NFL head coaching experience. Ross has consistently taken chances on head coaches like Joe Philbin, Adam Gase, Brian Flores, and McDaniel in the past.
Following a disappointing season that saw the Dolphins miss the playoffs for the second consecutive year, changes are expected within the organization. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who signed a substantial contract extension in 2024, faced challenges in 2025, leading to speculation about his future with the team.
In their search for a new head coach, the Dolphins also considered candidates such as Kevin Stefanski, Klint Kubiak, Robert Saleh, Chris Shula, and Anthony Campanile, among others.
The team is gearing up for a fresh start under the leadership of Jeff Hafley, as they aim to revamp their roster and make a strong comeback in the upcoming seasons.