Miami Dolphins pass game coordinator/secondary coach Brian Duker has been hired by the New York Jets.
With the Miami Dolphins hiring Jeff Hafley, a new coaching staff was always going to be the plan.
Hafley has been busy building his staff with former Buffalo Bills Chris Tabor now serving as special teams coordinator, Bobby Slowik being promoted to offensive coordinator, and more.
Now, the Dolphins lost out on a solid coach in Brian Duker, who was hired by the New York Jets.
"The Jets are hiring Brian Duker as their defensive coordinator, per sources.
"Duker, 36, most recently was the Dolphins’ pass game coordinator/secondary. He’s close with Aaron Glenn from their days with the Lions and now reunites with him in New York," Tom Peliessero reported on X.
Duker could have been a candidate for the vacant defensive coordinator position with the Dolphins, but has instead jumped to a divisional rival.
Since the job was for a promotion and not a lateral move, Duker was able to take the interview without any issue. He will now join Aaron Glenn, who has all but fired everyone on his staff for the 2025 season.
Duker spent the 2021 and 2023 seasons with the Detroit Lions, hence his connection to Glenn. From there, he joined the Dolphins in 2024 as the pass game coordinator and secondary coach.
Duker will now be in charge of running the defense and will be set to face his former team twice a year.
It is always tough to lose coaches to a divisional rival, as they have intimate knowledge of how things work. The good news for the Dolphins is that they will also have a new defense under Hafley.
Duker may know the players and scheme, but that might not be the case, considering Hafley will introduce his own scheme.
The Dolphins have yet to find a new defensive coordinator, and it could be due to Hafley announcing his intention to call plays. Most coordinators want the ability to call their own plays, and that could be leading to the lack of being able to find a second-in-command to Hafley.
Then again, Hafley might also be particular in who he brings on to be his secondary voice on defense, which is why the search is taking a bit longer than expected.
Either way, the Dolphins have now lost Duker to the Jets.