The Miami Dolphins are continuing their search for their next head coach, and Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley is the first in-person candidate.
Much like the other teams looking for a new head coach, the Miami Dolphins are moving forward with their search. After interviewing multiple clients via virtual sessions, the team is transitioning to in-person interviews.
One of the first candidates named for an in-person interview is Green Bay Packers head coach Jeff Hafley.
Per NFL insider Ian Rapoport, Hafley will be the first to interview in person.
"The Miami Dolphins are setting up in-person head coaching interviews for early this week, including with Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, which would be his second interview with the team, per sources," Rapoport said on X.
It is not a surprise that Hafley is getting a bigger look. He was already one of the top candidates in this head coaching cycle, and has clearly worked with former Packers VP of player personnel, Jon-Eric Sullivan.
Per a different report, fellow NFL insider Tom Pelissero has indicated that Hafley is a frontrunner for the Dolphins head coach position.
"Packers DC Jeff Hafley has emerged as a frontrunner for the Dolphins head coaching job, per sources.
"No final decisions made. More interviews are scheduled. Four other teams have requested second interviews with Hafley. But he appears to be the leading candidate in Miami," Pelissero wrote on X.
Again, it is not shocking that Hafley has emerged as a frontrunner for the position. With over 20 years of experience in the collegiate and NFL ranks, he has served as the defensive coordinator with the Packers since 2024.
In two seasons, he likely had an inside track with how Sullivan likes to work in terms of roster building. With Sullivan in place as the new general manager, he likely recommended Hafley, who may have impressed Dolphins owner Stephen Ross and the selection committee.
Hafley began his coaching career in 2001 as a running backs coach for WPI. He would move to defensive coaching a year later with Albany as defensive backs coach.
After working several years at the collegiate level, he landed his first NFL coaching job with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2012. He would serve in the defensive back coaching space for the Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers, before landing his first head coach job with Boston from 2020 to 2023.
Hafley posted a 22-26 overall record with Boston during his four-year tenure.
Returning in 2024 to the NFL, Hafley has helped the Packers defense remain a top 15 unit in the league.
With some college head coach experience and a wealth of coaching experience overall, he could be who the Dolphins need to usher in this new era of Miami football.