NFL news: Jeff Hafley replaces Mike McDaniel as Dolphins next head coach

One other high teaching candidate has gone off the board within the NFL.

The Miami Dolphins, who succeeded Mike McDaniel after a 35-33 document in 4 seasons, have reportedly employed ex-Inexperienced Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley as their subsequent head coach, in line with a number of stories.

Hafley wrapped up his second interview with Miami on Monday, and the Dolphins clearly loved what they heard once more from the person who has made a reputation for himself in Inexperienced Bay over the previous two seasons.

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Inexperienced Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley appears to be like on earlier than the sport towards the Baltimore Ravens at Lambeau Discipline on December 27, 2025 in Inexperienced Bay, Wisconsin. (Michael Reaves/Getty Photographs)

Whereas Hafley had head teaching expertise and spent 4 years on the sidelines main Boston Faculty from 2020-23, he by no means performed a job within the NFL.

The rent makes a variety of sense if you take a look at the primary one proprietor Stephen Ross and the Dolphins made this offseason.

Jon-Eric Sullivan was named first-year common supervisor after working his approach by the Packers’ entrance workplace since 2004, ultimately serving as vp of participant personnel for the previous 4 seasons.

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With Sullivan on board, Ross stayed within the household and employed Hafley with the assist of his new common supervisor.

Hafley, 46, has seen success in Inexperienced Bay on the defensive aspect of the ball, along with his unit rating ninth in yards allowed per sport over the previous two seasons. The Packers’ protection has additionally allowed the eighth-most factors per sport throughout that span.

Throughout his 4 years at Boston Faculty as head coach, Hafley owned a 22-26 document. And that got here after years of working within the NFL with completely different groups.

Inexperienced Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley provides a thumbs up through the Inexperienced Bay Packers Coaching Camp on August 1, 2024 at Ray Nitschke Discipline in Ashwaubenon, WI. (Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire)

Hafley frolicked as a line of defense coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers from 2012 to 2018. And earlier than that, he bounced round faculty, beginning at Worcester Polytechnic Institute as their operating backs coach earlier than stops at Albany, Pittsburgh, Rutgers and Ohio State.

Hafley was the Buckeyes’ defensive coordinator through the 2019 season earlier than leaving for Boston Faculty.

As they sit up for his new regime in Miami, each Hafley and Sullivan should reply the largest query for the franchise: Is Tua Tagovailoa nonetheless the reply at quarterback?

Tagovailoa was not talked about when Sullivan mentioned the constructing blocks for the crew heading into 2026 whereas chatting with native media members. He signed a four-year, $212.4 million extension in July 2024 – the most costly contract in franchise historical past.

However Tagovailoa has struggled in his 25 video games since, particularly in 2025 with 15 interceptions and 20 touchdowns. He has a 12-13 document over the previous two seasons with the Dolphins.

Inexperienced Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley speaks throughout a press convention on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, at Lambeau Discipline in Inexperienced Bay, Wis. (PROPOSE)

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Nevertheless, the Dolphins do have some key items to construct round, together with De’Von Achane as probably the greatest operating backs within the NFL.

Miami has missed the playoffs the previous two seasons and hasn’t had a playoff win since 2000. The crew hopes that Hafley can change that instantly.

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