Jeff Hafley.
A major, in-demand coach with a Super Bowl under his belt? Uh, no.
An inexperienced coordinator getting his first-ever NFL coaching gig thanks to Stephen Ross’s charity? Check.
An accomplished college head coach? Uh, no.
A college coach with a losing record? Check.
A current coordinator whose team is playing well and still in the playoffs? Uh, no.
A coordinator whose defense just blew an 18-point lead in the 4th quarter of a playoff game? Check.
Mike Tomlin, Robert Saleh, Sean McDermott, Jon Gruden, John Harbaugh, or Mike McCarthy? Uh, no.
Someone who was not a hot commodity in this year’s coaching cycle? (despite media exaggerations that he was on everyone’s radar) Check.
An exciting breath of fresh air and a different type of hire from Stephen Ross’s other failures? Uh, no.
Another dud. Check. Check and mate.
He’s clearly a coach none of us really wanted or, let alone, even heard of. But, many of the fans wanted to get rid of McDaniel, so, those who did got their wish. Be careful what you wish for…. I hope he is the disciplinarian that all the hoopla has been stated. Per Search Assist, “Jeff Hafley’s approach to coaching and discipline is characterized by a focus on precision and clarity. He emphasizes that the key to a successful defense is not complexity but rather the ability to execute the defense with precision. Hafley’s philosophy is rooted in the belief that players should understand their roles and responsibilities, and that the defense should operate as a cohesive unit. His coaching style is marked by a commitment to repeated correction of small mistakes, ensuring that players develop the necessary skills and discipline to perform their roles effectively. Hafley’s approach to player rotation and fatigue management is also a testament to his discipline, as he prioritizes fresh legs and the importance of maintaining a high level of performance throughout the season.”
I’d like to believe all of that stuff about precision, but I feel any coach would preach that. I’m leery of his record at BC…not horrible, but still below .500. Seems okay managing a defense, but now managing a whole team? I’ll remain hopeful, but I’m not excited.
As a side note, it looks like McD is going to the Chargers – who we will play at home in 2026.
Uggggh. Our 2026 March for Arch is officially underway
Well, again, I am disappointed with Ross. He’s the most incompetent owner-I don’t want to hear he spent money on the stadium etc. How’s that working out? The organization can’t put a good product on the field! Who cares abt the awning to keep the sun out. Little help with that. He could have delayed hiring Hafley until he interviewed McDermott, providing he was interested in this mess! Why not interview McCarthy? Saleh was on the market before McDermott-maybe, just maybe these former head coaches were less than interested in the Miami Dolphins? Tomlin is taking a break, but he wouldn’t come there either. I can certainly can understand it! So Ross takes the lead from the new GM-who wasn’t a GM w/Green Bay and now we have a head coach who has wasn’t a head coach! Dolphin Fans, what are we doing? We have two unknowns…At least Saleh & McDermott were head coaches in our division! We knew something! Every year there is less and less to look forward to. Been a Dolphins fan for over 50 yrs. and this isn’t getting better soon. We are in a cap torture chamber, painful and don’t see it getting any better. Why does this organization make decisions that are like a low budget movie that no one wants to pay money to see it! Because Ross should not be an owner; he can say all he wants but the only love is his real estate. Again, he has to croak for things to turn around. I am open to your thoughts. When every sports talk show I have listened to literally says the Dolphins head coaching job is the worst one, believe them!
Agreed on every single count. I wanted Gruden. Saleh of McDermott would be outstanding. Mike McCarthy. At the very least, it would have been a change of pace for Ross to hire someone with experience for once. Instead, he reverted back to hiring yet another inexperienced coordinator. As you rightfully said, “How has that worked out in the past?”
Did you hear the presser introducing Jeff Hafley? Can you possibly tell me how speaking with Sullivan for 10 min. on Zoom that Ross could say he’s the man for the job? How can you say think that? Did you hear what a bumbling idiot he sounded like-he is delusional honestly. An embarrassment to this team that Ross is the owner and that the other NFL owners voted him in! Next, I’m sorry to say that I am not one who likes it when a man tears up at a press conference thanking family. Right here, I’m not confident from that presser. This isn’t your retirement party thanking family for their support. Sullivan worked with Hafley for two years…two years? That’s not long at all. Then, Hafley speaks to the media. Again, I hope Marino and Aikman were so confident enough to bring him in. Though if they can turn this around it will be huge. I’m not expecting it but will be looking for signs.
Again, you and I are in full agreement. I don’t like this hire one bit. A man who talks about how tough he is going to be and then starts bawling a minute later? Yeah, I know there is no shame in crying, in general, but there are some professions where it just sends the wrong message. And here is one of those professions. I keep hearing how Sullivan and Hafley know each other and will be on the same page. That is meaningless! Both of these jokers were assistants in their last job. Their own bosses never thought they were good enough to be promoted, and yet Stephen Ross does. I said the same exact thing about Mc Daniel and Gase and Philbin and Flores. Ross has had many opportunities to make a huge, dramatic coaching coup, but instead he chooses to promote unknowns who no one else wanted. Again. And again
I love your posts. Missed them. It has been so long since I saw them. To be fair though a lot of teams did want Hafley. What happens remains to be seen, but he was sought out by a lot of teams.
Thanks, and it’s good to be back. I think it’s a cliche to say someone was “sought after by a lot of teams.” I don’t buy it most of the time. I think it’s just journalists saying the same old stuff every single year. Believe me, I hope I’m wrong. But I don’t understand why any owners would seek out a coordinator whose defense has been mid-tier. A defense who just blew an 18-point lead in the playoffs two weeks ago. If Ross insists on hiring a coordinator once again and giving him his first big break into the head coaching ranks once again, then why not wait 2 weeks and try the Seahawks or Patriots DCs? Those defense are both monstrous, and I feel the DC has a role in that. The Packers D has been so-so. Why reward that?
Admin-I’m in step with you! I also hope I’m wrong with the choices by Ross; his track record isn’t good, and we (fans) seem to get disappointed year in and year out. I felt that Ross wanted to get the GM & HC hires done asap to please the fans for swift action. He didn’t ever have a chance to get Harbaugh-bec he didn’t even think abt Miami job, off his to do list! We’ve done it over and over with the coordinator carousel and it hasn’t been successful. Sooooo, Ross does it again! Why? He’s a HUGE part of the problem. Watching the games yesterday, both winning coaches have such a deep passion for playing the best football by preparing their teams for that level. Not saying all the other coaches aren’t passionate, BUT there is that “something” players feel it, see it, almost taste it, from those two coaches yesterday that pushes the adrenaline in their players. Respect. A necessity in this sport. I would love to see this happen in Miami, but I honestly can’t for the foreseeable future. I find myself never speaking positively about the team. Feel like a Jets fan.