The Miami Dolphins' search for their next head coach is heating up, with Green Bay Packers Defensive Coordinator Jeff Hafley emerging as a frontrunner. According to reports, Hafley is scheduled to have a second, in-person interview with the organization, underscoring the serious consideration he is receiving for the top job in South Florida.
This renewed focus on Hafley comes as the Dolphins continue to navigate one of the most significant organizational shifts of the offseason. The 46-year-old coordinator, who spent the 2024 season coordinating Green Bay’s defense, previously served as the head coach at Boston College from 2020 to 2023, compiling a 22-26 record before stepping down to join the Packers.
The Connection with Jon-Eric Sullivan
A crucial element in Hafley’s candidacy appears to be his pre-existing relationship with the Dolphins’ newly appointed General Manager, Jon-Eric Sullivan. Sullivan, who was hired by Miami last week, previously held the role of Vice President of Player Personnel for the Green Bay Packers. During Sullivan's tenure in Green Bay, he and Hafley worked in the same building for two years, fostering what sources describe as a strong, collaborative working relationship.
In the modern NFL, the synergy between the General Manager and the Head Coach is often cited as paramount to long-term success. The Dolphins organization seems keen on replicating the kind of established, positive rapport that Hafley and Sullivan are believed to share. This shared history could significantly streamline the transition process should Hafley be selected to lead the team.
Hafley’s Coaching Trajectory
Jeff Hafley’s coaching resume is marked by high-level defensive acumen and a brief, developmental stint as a major college head coach. Before his time in Green Bay, Hafley established a reputation as an elite defensive mind, often drawing praise for his schemes and development of defensive talent.
His tenure at Boston College, while resulting in a slightly sub-.500 record, provided him with invaluable experience leading an entire program, managing both sides of the ball, and navigating the intense pressure of college football leadership. Resigning from the BC job, rather than being fired, allowed him to strategically pivot back to the NFL—a league where he previously served as the secondary coach for the Cleveland Browns and the defensive backs coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The fact that the Packers’ defense performed admirably in his one season there, especially given the roster turnover and challenges often faced by first-year coordinators, keeps his stock high among NFL decision-makers looking for coordinators ready to step up.
Dolphins’ Coaching Search Landscape
The Dolphins’ coaching search has been closely watched, especially following the departure of the previous regime. The team is prioritizing a coach who can maximize the potential of their existing high-powered offense while bringing stability and strategic clarity to the entire organization.
Hafley is reportedly the betting favorite among many analysts and oddsmakers to land the job, suggesting momentum is building in his favor. His background offers a contrast to some other potential candidates, leaning heavily on defensive expertise coupled with recent head coaching exposure.
The scheduling of a second interview is a massive indicator. First interviews are typically wide-ranging evaluations; second interviews are often deep dives into specific organizational structure, philosophy alignment, and immediate plans for the roster. For Hafley, this second meeting signifies that the Dolphins’ brass, particularly Sullivan, sees a strong philosophical alignment worth exploring further.
What’s Next for Miami?
As the coaching carousel spins across the league, the Dolphins are positioning themselves to make a decisive move. With Hafley seemingly progressing well through the process, the organization is aiming to install a new leadership structure relatively quickly to begin preparations for the critical offseason period—free agency and the NFL Draft.
The other candidates in the mix will need to make strong cases in their subsequent meetings, but Hafley’s established history with the incoming General Manager places him in a uniquely advantageous position. The league watches closely to see if this established partnership will translate into the next era of Dolphins football.
Football fans across the nation, particularly in Green Bay and Boston, will be watching to see if the former Packer coordinator can secure his return to the head coaching ranks in the highly competitive AFC East.
