What to know about the Miami Dolphins’ search for a new head coach

Two weeks after firing Brian Flores at the conclusion of the 2021 NFL season, the Dolphins still don’t have a new head coach but have interviewed several candidates for the opening. It’s been a deliberate process for not only the Dolphins but the seven other teams with a vacancy, many of whom are also searching for a new general manager.

Here’s what you need to know about the Dolphins’ search for a new head coach.

Who have the Dolphins interviewed?

Unlike many of the other teams in search of a head coach, the Dolphins have not been announcing the completion of interviews with candidates. However, according to multiple reports, the team has interviewed the following:

• Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll

• Bills defensive coordinator/assistant head coach Leslie Frazier

• Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore

• Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn

• San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel

• Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Vance Joseph

• Los Angeles Rams running backs coach/assistant head coach Thomas Brown

Of the seven reported candidates, three have prior experience as a head coach in the NFL: Frazier, Quinn and Joseph. Frazier had three full seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, finishing with an 18-29-1 record and one playoff appearance. Quinn spent five seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, finishing with a 43-42 record, two playoff berths and an appearance in Super Bowl 51, a 34-28 loss to the New England Patriots. Joseph had two seasons with the Denver Broncos, finishing with an 11-21 record.

Daboll, Moore, McDaniel and Brown have never been head coaches in the NFL. Three candidates have ties to the Dolphins: Daboll, Quinn and Joseph. Daboll was the team’s offensive coordinator for the 20211 season. Quinn was the team’s defensive line coach from 2005 to 2006 and Joseph was defensive coordinator for the 2016 season.

Who are the favorites?

There have been no reports of the team requesting a second interview but whomever the Dolphins seek to speak to again should seemingly be viewed as a finalist. The initial round of interviews took on many forms, mainly to accommodate the schedules of several assistants coaching in the playoffs. For example, Dolphins brass traveled to Buffalo to interview Daboll and Frazier after the Bills’ wild-card round win over the Patriots. Joseph interviewed in person in Miami after the Cardinals were eliminated from the playoffs. And McDaniel’s interview was conducted over Zoom.

What is the timeline for a hire?

The Dolphins have been silent since owner Stephen Ross’ virtual news conference after Flores was fired. For reference, when the team fired Adam Gase shortly after the end of the 2018 season, Flores was the first candidate interviewed for the opening and there was an agreement about two weeks later. The team didn’t formally introduce Flores until early February after he finished coaching with the Patriots in their run to the Super Bowl.

Of the Dolphins’ candidates, only McDaniel and Brown are still coaching in the playoffs. While none of the eight teams with head coaching vacancies have made a hire, multiple franchises have requested second interviews with candidates. As teams begin to make hires, the Dolphins’ pool of candidates could shrink, thus speeding up the process.

Who are the Dolphins competing with?

According to NFL Network, Quinn is a finalist for the Broncos’ opening and will conduct a second interview with the team. The Chicago Bears have also reportedly requested a second interview with Quinn. Quinn has been linked to Denver since the team fired Vic Fangio and also interviewed with the New York Giants for the first time Monday.

Daboll also has a second interview with the Giants, according to ESPN. Along with his past as a former Dolphins assistant, Daboll has a relationship with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Daboll was Tagovailoa’s offensive coordinator at Alabama during his freshman season. However, Daboll also has a relationship with new Giants general manager Joe Schoen, a former Dolphins executive. Schoen was assistant GM with the Bills the last five seasons, overlapping with Daboll.

Howard receives PFWA honors

Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard was named to the 2021 All-AFC team by the Pro Football Writers of America.

Howard, the team’s lone Pro Bowl representative, was joined by New England Patriots cornerback J.C. Jackson on the All-AFC team. He was beat out by the Dallas Cowboys’ Trevon Diggs and Los Angeles Rams’ Jalen Ramsey for a spot on the All-NFL team. It’s the season consecutive season with a PFWA honor for Howard, who was also named to the All-NFL team last year.

Howard’s five interceptions led the Dolphins and tied for fourth in the NFL.