Can Miami hire offensive-minded coaches and keep defensive assistants? – Orange County Register

This is the latest installment of our Miami Dolphins Q&A, where writers David Furones and Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun Sentinel answer readers’ questions.

Q: Do you think there’s a chance they’ll hire a new coach to keep some of the defensive staff, since the defense is our current strength? – Patrick Dillon on Twitter

ONE: This seems to be the more natural and appropriate direction, as the Dolphin’s defense is already in a great position.

Often, however, a new head coach will build his team in the way he envisions and will enter a new situation with assistants he has worked with or had relationships with. relationship.

It became clear that Dolphins owner Steve Ross and general manager Chris Grier wanted to focus on the offense with this hire. The The first two interview requests are known will meet the offensive coordinators who will be coaching the playoffs this weekend with Brian Daboll of Buffalo and Mike McDaniel of San Francisco.

In this case – and especially if the new coach assumes an offensive background that doesn’t have a host of quality defensive assistants to go with – it’s important to keep as many of these defensive staff as possible.

Led by defensive coordinator Josh Boyer, the unit stood out at every level from line to side, especially in the second half when Miami finished in the top 10 in most defensive categories. The seven-game winning streak, although mostly against the sub-midfielders, really shows that the defensive staff are a perfect fit for what Boyer wants to do. Corners can be trusted within a single guard, freeing up additional defenders – even safes, as we are used to seeing – to seize the moment.

Continuity would be great. Defenders coach Gerald Alexander was quick to work well with a safe mix of sophomores Jevon Holland and Brandon Jones. Jaelan Phillips and Andrew Van Ginkel have made strides under outside coach Rob Leonard. Anthony Campanile did an excellent job with the defenders led by Jerome Baker. Austin Clark made a defensive tackle Christian Wilkins led all of the NFL’s defenses on tackles and was specially played by Emmanuel Ogbah and Zach Sieler, with Raekwon Davis spearheading tackle to block the road. run. Fullback coach Charles Burks gifted Xavien Howard and Byron Jones, but he also asked Nik Needham to continue to develop.

Depending on who comes next, that coach can put someone he feels strong in certain positions while possibly keeping top assistants where he doesn’t have a dedicated coach. Karma.

That’s an ideal scenario. Now, we also have to consider the other factor of Brian Flores bringing in some defensive coaches with him on his next stop. Flores already has an interview lined up with the Chicago Bears and more is expected to follow as he will be a hot commodity for another NFL coach spot after consecutive winning seasons. .

Boyer dated Flores for many years in New England. He was with the Patriots since 2006 before following Flores to Miami, first as defensive passing game coordinator and corner kick coach in 2019 before being promoted to defensive coordinator in 2019. 2020.

Alexander joined the Dolphins in 2020, and Flores made him the NFL’s first positional coach. Campanile has a similar story following his stint as a college placement coach. Clark also arrives from college in 2020. Leonard has been with Flores since Flores’ first year, coming from the Giants. Burks was his first two-year assistant coach with the Dolphins before being promoted to full-back coach.

Many of them could go with Flores to his next destination or they could be given the chance to stay in Miami by the next coach. It will then be up to them to define what they enjoy and where they feel they can better build their careers.

If the situation is reversed, when Flores, a coach with a defensive background, came to the Dolphins in 2019, he already had attacking contracts that had previously worked with him in the original offensive coordinator. head Chad O’Shea and close-in charge coach George Godsey.

The opposite can also happen with an offensive coach bringing in defensive assistants he trusts, but this coach will at least plan and train the defense in the same way it is. operated under Flores and Boyer, with suitable personnel.

You have questions?

Email David Furonesor tag @OmarKelly or @DavidFurones_ on Twitter.

Previous answer:

Will Zach Thomas get into the Walk of Fame this year?

Why not throw down the field to Waddle more?

What do the Dolphins think of RB rookie Gerrid Doaks of the practice team?

What free agent receivers can Dolphins pair with Waddle?

What happens to Jason Sanders’ misses?

What changes are possible when receiving legions during the season?

Which attackers in free agency should Dolphins target?

Can Tua still be a defender in the top 10?

Austin Jackson’s move to the left gives hope?

Does the franchise have botch Fitzpatrick, Tunsil, Tannehill trading?