The Miami Dolphins are making some serious moves to bolster their coaching staff, and the latest big news involves a seasoned pro taking the reins of their special teams!
It's official: the Dolphins have brought aboard Chris Tabor, a highly respected veteran in the league, to serve as their new Special Teams Coordinator. This is a significant hire, especially considering Tabor's extensive experience. At 53 years old, he's not just new to the Dolphins; he's a familiar face in the NFL's special teams landscape. Just this past season, he was the Special Teams Coordinator for the Buffalo Bills, a team known for its strong special teams unit.
But here's where it gets even more interesting: Tabor's resume is packed with stints at other prominent franchises. He's previously held the Special Teams Coordinator role with the Carolina Panthers, the Chicago Bears, and the Cleveland Browns. This wealth of experience across different teams and coaching philosophies means he brings a unique perspective and a proven track record to Miami.
And this is the part most people miss: the ripple effect of these hires. Coach Jeff Hafley is clearly aiming to assemble a complete and cohesive staff quickly. He expressed on 550 WQAM on Friday morning that he was hoping to have all three coordinators finalized by the end of the weekend. This indicates a strong push to get the team's strategic direction set.
While the special teams are now in good hands, the search for an Offensive Coordinator is still very much underway. NFL Insider Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported that the Dolphins have put in a request to interview Jerrod Johnson, who is currently the quarterbacks coach for the Houston Texans.
Adding another layer to the offensive coordinator speculation, Jonathan Jones, the NFL Insider for CBS Sports, highlighted Brian Angelichio, the Minnesota Vikings' passing game coordinator, as a potential candidate for the Dolphins' offensive coordinator position. The connection here is quite strong: Hafley and Angelichio have a long-standing working relationship, dating back two decades. They've collaborated at the University of Pittsburgh, Rutgers, and even on the same staff with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cleveland Browns. This kind of familiarity can be invaluable when building a new coaching staff.
There are also whispers about the Dolphins' interest in Steve Shimko, the Cowboys' quarterbacks coach, for the offensive coordinator role. However, as of now, Miami has not formally requested an interview for Shimko. It's worth noting that Shimko has a prior connection with Hafley, having served as quarterback coach and offensive coordinator at Boston College when Hafley was the head coach there.
So, what do you think about these coaching staff changes? Is Chris Tabor the right man to elevate the Dolphins' special teams? And who do you believe should be the next Offensive Coordinator? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
