The Miami Dolphins had been searching for a new head coach after Mike McDaniel was fired on January 8th after four seasons in charge and an overall record of 33-35. During McDaniel's time in Miami Gardens, the Dolphins failed to win a single playoff game and went 4-17 against opponents with a winning record.
Jeff Hafley joined the Green Bay Packers in 2024 as their defensive coordinator following a four-year spell as the head coach of the Boston College Eagles.
Prior to leading the Eagles, Hafley was the co-defensive coordinator at Ohio State University, where the 46-year-old led a defence that allowed 13.7 points per game and 259.7 yards per game, both of which led the country in 2019.
Hafley's Packers defense ranked 12th in total defense in 2025 and 11th in scoring defense, allowing an average of 21.2 points per game. Prior to Micah Parsons' ACL injury, Hafley's defense ranked top 10 in scoring and top 5 in yards per play allowed.
Rebuild
In Miami, Hafley inherits a defense that ranked 22nd in total defense with an average of 348.8 yards allowed per game and 24th in scoring defense with an average of 24.9 points per game.
In addition to a leaky defense, Hafley will start with a rebuilding Dolphins team after QB Tua Tagovailoa was benched midway through the 2025 season in favour of rookie Quinn Ewers.
Tagovailoa signed a four-year contract extension worth $212 million back in 2024 and carries a dead cap figure of $56.4 million in 2026.
Meanwhile, WR Tyreek Hill is expected to be released after suffering severe knee injuries in Week 4.
With Hafley signing for the Dolphins, there are now seven openings left in the NFL. Earlier, the New York Giants hired former Ravens HC John Harbaugh to succeed Brian Daboll, while former Browns coach Kevin Stefanski was hired by the Falcons.
After the Buffalo Bills fired HC Sean McDermott earlier on Monday, the Cleveland Browns, Las Vegas Raiders, Arizona Cardinals, Tennessee Titans, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Bills are now the only NFL teams left without a head coach.
