It is always a wonder how defensive-minded head coaches work with their defensive coordinators, and Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley indicated how Sean Duggan will fit in the grand scheme of things.
Once a defensive-minded coach is put into the position as head coach, many wonder how their defensive coordinators fit into the grand scheme of things. Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley detailed some important responsibilities for defensive coordinator Sean Duggan and how they will operate together.
Duggan has been with Hafley for many years, as the pair worked alongside each other at Boston College and with the Green Bay Packers. The former linebackers coach was promoted through Hafley's recommendation, and worked his way all the way into a coordinator position with the Dolphins.
Hafley joined "The Richard Sherman Podcast," where he broke down many topics regarding how he will face his first season in the NFL as a head coach, and when asked about building his coaching staff, he hurled praise at Duggan.
"You know, Sean Duggan, who's our defensive coordinator, um, I met him at Ohio State. He was he was my graduate assistant and he sat next to me in the booth. And when I tell you like after spending one year with him, like he's a guy that in between series I' I'd ask him the questions, right? Really super impressive, super smart, played the position at Boston College," Hafley said.
Hafley broke down their journey together, and how Duggan went from a graduate assistant to being promoted to linebackers coach with the Packers, and finally being brought over after the head coach had asked Green Bay's Matt LaFleur if that was possible.
Duggan and Hafley have worked together for eight years, and understanding how the Dolphins head coach's mind operates is a major component to how they will operate in tandem with one another in 2026.
"So I got a chance to bring Shawn, which is so huge for me um because he's been with me for eight straight years. He knows the scheme inside and out. He knows how I think. he knows what I want. Um, so what he's done now is he's organized it all for me. He's presenting in front of the defense so I can go on with the offense, be the head coach right now," Hafley said. "We'll sit down and we'll talk, we'll meet, and then once training camp hits, I'll take it back over. But that allows me to be the head coach right now. And I think I think that's huge."
Hafley did admit that he will be calling plays on defense, but it will be Duggan who helps him run the day-to-day so that he can be more heavily involved in how the offense is also operating. Despite being a defensive mind, it is also important for him to know what is happening with his offense.
"I'm sitting in the quarterback meetings. I'm sitting in on the offensive installs because what I learned this ground is I got to know everything that's going on. I just can't be the defensive coach. I don't want the players just to see me as the defensive coordinator. I want them to see me and feel me as the head coach and I want to know I want to know all the scheme," Hafley said.
Nobody knows how Hafley will truly be able to lead his team until it's time for game day. However, he does have a good grasp and leadership quality that is hard to ignore.
The former Packers defensive coordinator has a meticulous nature about him, which can only bode well for a Dolphins team that has gone through a major overhaul.
A brand-new front office, coaching staff, and roster have many believing Miami will struggle mightily, but the process and belief in a system that is being built is the biggest superpower this team has under Sullivan and Hafley.