New Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver wasn’t at the NFL‘s Annual League Meeting in Orlando, Fla., this week.
But a ton of his friends were — and the consensus was the Dolphins made a very smart hire.
Mike Macdonald on Miami Dolphins’ Anthony Weaver
The latest to weigh in: New Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald, who worked closely with Weaver during their two years together on John Harbaugh’s staff with the Baltimore Ravens.
Macdonald was Baltimore’s defensive coordinator; Weaver was Macdonald’s defensive line coach. Together, they led a unit that led the league in scoring (16.5 points per game) and ranked third in yards per play allowed (4.6).
But the former knew the latter would be a high-level coach before Weaver even arrived in town.
“When did I figure he’d be a good DC? When he was in Houston,” Macdonald told PFN.
“That’s the first time I ever saw him, and I thought he did a great job there and just working with him on a day-to-day basis. This is someone that I have huge respect for, just as a human being and a leader. Incredibly smart.
“The players love him. He was a huge asset for our staff and how those guys played up front in the success that, you know; you’re excited for the guys’ success that we had up front at the D line spot. And he’s gonna do a tremendous job for those guys, man. Love Weav, miss him, and we wish the best for him.”
Macdonald’s comments come a month after the Ravens’ top two football people — Harbaugh and Eric DeCosta — were similarly complimentary of their former colleague.
“I feel that he’s going to be a head coach someday,” DeCosta said. “I mean, it’s right there for him. He’s going to do a remarkable job, I think, down in Miami. The players are going to love him; the community is going to love him. That defense is going to be fast and furious, and I think he’ll be a head coach before you know it.”
KEEP READING: The Miami Dolphins-Green Bay Packers Linebackers Coach Swap Explained
Added Harbaugh: “Anthony’s an absolute star. He lights up a room. He fills up a room, too. He fills up a room and lights up a room. The way he treats people, the way he responds to problems and problem-solving, the way he coaches guys, the way he presents, his understanding of defense generally.
“But also he’s really good — high, high level. But also his leadership ability, the way he manages players, coaches, and works with other people. He’s a great leader. He’ll do a great job whatever he does. [A] potential head coach.”