Two former Dolphins interim coaches being considered for head coach gigs
Two of the Miami Dolphins’ former interim head coaches are viewed as serious candidates for vacant head coach positions.
According to ESPN, Dan Campbell is the front-runner for the Detroit Lions job, which became open when Matt Patricia was fired in November, and both sides are working on coming to terms on a contract.
The current New Orleans Saints’ assistant head coach served as Joe Philbin’s replacement in the final 12 games of the 2015 season, leading Miami to a 5-7 finish after a 1-3 start under Philbin.
And it is also widely reported that Todd Bowles, who replaced a fired Tony Sparano in 2011 and led the Dolphins to a 2-1 record, is set to interview with the Philadelphia Eagles, who fired Doug Pederson earlier this month.
Bowles, who is in his second season as the defensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, coached the New York Jets to 26-41 record from 2015-18.
Bowles interviewed for the Atlanta Falcons and Detroit Lions opening this month, but the Falcons hired former Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith on Sunday, and the Lions are reportedly set to hire Campbell now that New Orleans’ season has concluded.
Coincidentally, or not, both coaches have ties to the franchises that have interest in hiring them as head coaches. Bowles worked as a secondary coach and interim defensive coordinator for the Eagles in 2012 after the team dismissed Juan Castillo.
Campbell played for the Lions from 2006-08, three of his 11 seasons as a player in the NFL. His first coaching job was in Miami, where he served as a coaching assistant for Sparano’s teams before becoming the tight end coach in 2011.
Campbell is known for being a fiery motivational coach, one who players found extremely relatable. And former Dolphins czar Bill Parcells in a long-time supporter of his former player. Parcells advocated for Campbell to replace Philbin instead of then assistant head coach Darren Rizzi.
During his time in New Orleans, the Saints have made four playoff appearances in five years, including one NFC Championship bid.
Bowles, who was also brought into coaching by Parcells, has some ties to the Philadelphia area. He went to college at Temple, where he was a standout safety. He played safety in the NFL for eight seasons before becoming a defensive coordinator at Morehouse College and Grambling State, before joining Al Groh’s Jets coaching staff in 2000, working for the franchise under general manager Parcells.
In Tampa Bay, Bowles has been responsible for leading the NFL’s stingiest run defenses the past two seasons. The Buccaneers finished first in the NFL in rushing yards allowed the past two years and eighth in scoring defense this year, allowing 22.2 points per game. However, the Buccaneers ranked 29th in scoring last year, allowing 28.1 points per game.
Bowles is respected for the 3-4 defense he runs, and his ability to relate with today’s generation of players. Where he struggled in New York was the offensive side of his team, but the caliber of quarterback he was working with --- Ryan Fitzpatrick, Josh McCown, Bryce Petty, Geno Smith and Sam Darnold — during his tenure as head coach of the Jets contributed to the team’s struggles.
In Philadelphia, he’d likely inherit Carson Wentz, who struggled as the Eagles starter before being benched for Jalen Hurts.
