Miami Dolphins coaching search: 5 things to know about candidate Brian Daboll

The Dolphins are very interested in Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll for their vacant head coach opening.

It makes a lot of sense.

Daboll is one of the hottest coordinators in the NFL, developing quarterback Josh Allen into one of the best young players in the league.

Daboll has worked in New England for Bill Belichick, with the Dolphins and Tony Sparano and at Alabama for Nick Saban.

And Daboll has a relationship with Tua Tagovailoa, whom he coached in 2017.

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Here are 5 things to know about Daboll, a Dolphins head coaching candidate.

Daboll was born in Canada

Daboll, 46, is a native of Ontario, Canada.

Daboll played high school and college football in Western New York, where he was raised by his grandparents. Daboll played safety at the University of Rochester, before his career ended due to an injury.

In an interview with his alma mater this year, Daboll said: "I’d like to say that I’m a leader. You have to develop relationships with your players, but you also have to set a standard and an expectation that you are going to hold them accountable to. Once a player can trust you and you earn their respect, they’re more accountable to you."

Those who know Daboll have noted work ethic, commitment and humility.

"There's an ego-lessness," former associate Eric Mangini told the Buffalo News in 2020.

Added Bills receiver Stefon Diggs: "He lets guys play to their strengths and lets guys just be themselves."

One of Daboll's former quarterbacks, Brady Quinn, said: "He is a people person. He's a guy that I think a lot of people love."

Daboll and his wife Beth have six children.

Oh, and by the way, it's pronounced "Day-bull."

Daboll was raised in New England

Like many NFL coaches, Daboll was trained under Bill Belichick.

Daboll was hired as a defensive assistant in 2000, and he also coached wide receivers before briefly leaving to coach quarterbacks for the Jets, where he worked with Chad Pennington and Brett Favre.

Daboll was a part of three Super Bowl titles in New England in his first stint and then won two more after returning. That's five Super Bowl rings.

After joining Alabama, Daboll said of his offense, according to the Mobile Register: “The strengths of your offense, you want to try to expose the defense with."

At his introductory news conference in Alabama, Daboll said of working with Belichick and Saban: "There's a standard. You know the standard. You've got to meet it every day, and if you don't, there's consequences. I think it's very fair, demanding, but I like the work environment from those guys."

Daboll has ties to Tua Tagovailoa

After a second stint with the Patriots, coaching tight ends, Daboll headed to Alabama as offensive coordinator in 2017.

At the time, Saban said: "Brian brings a tremendous work ethic to the job and has a wealth of football knowledge. He is a great teacher of the game, and someone who can relate well to our players."

In a coincidence, Saban had reportedly interviewed George Godsey, Dolphins' play-caller in 2020, before electing to hire Daboll.

Tagovailoa tossed the game-winning pass to DeVonta Smith in overtime as the Crimson Tide defeated Georgia for the national championship. Daboll has familiarity with run-pass option.

It was reported that when Tagovailoa was a freshman, Daboll wanted to play him sooner than he was able to. Alabama's offense had success with Jalen Hurts and Tua.

Under Daboll, Alabama ranked 15th in the nation in scoring at 37.1 points per game, 13th in rushing (250.6 yds/gm), and 16th in first downs.

Daboll known as a quarterback developer with Josh Allen

Since taking over as offensive coordinator of the Bills, their offense has improved from 30 to 24 to 2 to 5.

Allen's passer rating has jumped from 68 and 85 to 107 and 92. When Allen was selected, he was considered a remarkably raw talent with a high ceiling.

In 2020, Daboll was named NFL's assistant coach of the year. He was credited for adjusting his scheme to best utilize the talents on the roster.

Coaches who have worked with Daboll say he focuses on minimizing the effectiveness of potential opponent game-wreckers. And Daboll likes to spread the field with up to five receiver targets, allowing a quarterback to manipulate a defense into ideal matchups.

Daboll is also said to be creative, collaborative and open-minded. Players seem to like working with him.

Earlier this season, Allen said of Daboll: "He cares so much about football and cares so much about being the best version of himself for us to put ourselves in situations to be successful. That's that's why we love him."

Daboll has head coach aspirations

The Bears, as well as the Dolphins, have reportedly sought permission to interview Daboll. The Bills host the Patriots Saturday night in a Wild Card Round game.

Daboll also reportedly drew the interest of at least two NFL teams last year.

That Daboll has a connection to Miami could be helpful. Daboll was offensive coordinator of the Dolphins under Sparano in 2011, improving from 30th in the league to 20th in overall offense.

Among the head coaches Daboll has worked with: Belichick, Saban, Sparano, Mangini and Romeo Crennel.

When Daboll came to the Bills in 2018, he told the Buffalo News of his approach to dealing with players: "Players don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. I think that's an important quality that I try to be better at every year."

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Brian Daboll: Miami Dolphins head coach candidate, 5 things to know