With their 2023 season now in the rearview, the Miami Dolphins are interviewing candidates for their defensive coordinator role, which was left open after the team mutually parted ways with Vic Fangio.
To this point, there have only been two known coaches who will interview for the job – Bobby Babich and Brandon Staley.
Before Mike McDaniel, Chris Grier and Stephen Ross make a decision on who will run the defense, let’s take some time to get to know Staley.
Coaching history
- Los Angeles Chargers head coach (2021-23)
- Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator (2020)
- Denver Broncos outside linebackers coach (2019)
- Chicago Bears outside linebackers coach (2017-18)
- John Carroll defensive coordinator and secondary coach (2015-16)
- James Madison defensive coordinator and linebackers coach (2014)
- John Carroll defensive coordinator and secondary coach (2013)
- Tennessee graduate assistant (2012)
- Hutchinson CC associate head coach and defensive coordinator (2010-11)
- St. Thomas (MN) defensive line and special teams coach (2009)
- Northern Illinois graduate assistant (2006-08)
Defensive rankings during his year as DC with Rams
- Scoring – 19.3 points per game (2nd)
- Total yards – 292.9 yards per game (1st)
- Turnovers per game – 1.3 (t-15th)
- Red-zone TD scoring – 57.45% (7th)
Connections to Vic Fangio and Mike McDaniel
Fangio gave Staley his first NFL jobs in Chicago (2017-18) and Denver (2019) before the latter got the defensive coordinator job with Los Angeles (2020). The two have a clear history, and Staley’s scheme has certainly taken a lot from Fangio’s.
McDaniel and Staley have never worked together, but Staley did work for Sean McVay, who worked with McDaniel in Washington from 2011-13. That relationship should be able to give Miami’s head coach some intel into what Staley would be like working under him.
Jalen Ramsey had some strong praise for Staley as a DC
“He’s the best defensive coordinator that I’ve had for sure in the NFL,” Ramsey said. “And that’s not shot to anybody else because coach Wade (Phillips) is a legend and in Jacksonville, I had my ups and downs there, but I just really think he’s great at what he does.
“He’s a genius. He’s smart. He knows how to use his players, and works well to put his players in position to make plays or have impact on the game. He knows how to get the best out of people. He knows how to calm people down and keep us going throughout the games. I just think he’s great. There’s literally nothing negative I can say about him. I think he would be an amazing head coach.”
