The Miami Dolphins have a glaring hole in the team’s 2024 coaching staff, as defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and the team mutually parted ways following the 2023 season.
While there is a wide array of potential candidates to fill Fangio’s shoes, one in particular has emerged as Miami begins its interview process. Former Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley has a trio of teams interested in his services.
Brandon Staley To Interview With Miami Dolphins for Defensive Coordinator Position
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Friday that Staley has thus far received interest from three teams for a defensive coordinator role: the Dolphins, Green Bay Packers, and Los Angeles Rams. Staley served as the Rams’ defensive coordinator for one season prior to being hired as the Chargers’ head coach in 2021.
Staley’s 2020 Rams unit was arguably the best defense in the NFL that season. The 2020 Rams ranked first in total yards per game allowed, passing yards allowed, points per game allowed, and third in rushing yards per game allowed.
Los Angeles was also 11th in takeaways that year, forcing 14 interceptions and recovering eight fumbles.
Following his excellent first year in a DC role, Staley immediately became a hot head coaching candidate, following in the footsteps of previous Sean McVay disciples like Matt LaFleur. Staley was hired by the Chargers in the 2021 offseason and spent three seasons with the team before being fired midway through the 2023 regular season.
Staley posted records of 9-8, 10-7, and 5-9 (24-24 overall) in his three seasons with the Chargers. He secured one playoff appearance (his second season) that resulted in a disastrous collapse at the hands of the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Wild Card Round.
In total yards allowed per game, Staley’s Chargers defenses ranked 23rd (2021), 20th (2022), and 28th (2023).
While Staley has never served on the same coaching staff as Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, the two still share several connections. Both are represented by agent Richmond Flowers, a partner of the Range Sports agency who serves as the group’s President of Football and Coaches.
Staley and McDaniel also have obvious connections to McVay. Staley, of course, served as McVay’s DC with the Rams, while McDaniel spent several seasons sharing an offensive meeting room with the Super Bowl-winning head coach.
From 2011-2013, McDaniel spent time on the Washington coaching staff, first as an offensive assistant and then as wide receivers coach. That stretch overlapped with McVay’s tenure in the nation’s capital, where he rose the ranks from offensive assistant to tight ends coach to offensive coordinator from 2010-2016 prior to joining the Rams in 2017.
All three have also contributed to the QB Collective, an organization that brings in prominent NFL minds to mentor young quarterback prospects.
For Miami, other notable options on the defensive coordinator market include Carolina Panthers DC Ejiro Evero, former New York Giants DC Wink Martindale, and former Washington Commanders and Panthers HC Ron Rivera.
MORE: The Miami Dolphins Should Have Played Hardball With Vic Fangio, Philadelphia Eagles
The Dolphins also have a rising in-house option in linebackers coach Anthony Campanile, who interviewed for the Giants DC job following Martindale’s departure from New York this offseason.
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