If not Harbaugh, then who?

Discussion in 'Miami Dolphins Forum' started by The_Dark_Knight, Jan 8, 2026 at 8:22 PM.

  1. Vertical Limit

    Vertical Limit Senior Member

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    Dolphins fans have been obsessed with the Shula name for quite some time..

    I will say tho i liked Mike Shula’s offense with Cam Newton in Carolina and thought he should have been given an interview
     
  2. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

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    I've heard him mentioned as a HC candidate for several years now (probably here). I've never taken a look at him so I can't provide any additional detail, LOL.
     
  3. The_Dark_Knight

    The_Dark_Knight Defender of the Truth

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    No more coordinators. Every coordinator we’ve hired has reverted back to what he was…a play caller. We have GOT to have an adult in the room. A HEAD COACH who has a staff of coordinators, not a head coach who calls the offensive plays…not a head coach who calls the defensive plays.

    If Ross can’t land Harbaugh and gives yet ANOTHER coordinator his first shot at being a head coach, we’re FOOKED yet again.
     
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  4. texanphinatic

    texanphinatic Senior Member

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    I wouldn't force the issue. Andy Reid calls plays. Sean Payton calls plays. Kyle Shanahan calls plays. Sean McVay calls plays. Mike McDonald calls plays.
     
  5. The_Dark_Knight

    The_Dark_Knight Defender of the Truth

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    Andy Reid is established. 4 straight NFC championship game and 1 Super Bowl appearance in Philadelphia…even before his Super Bowl runs in Kansas City.

    Sean Peyton is established. Super Bowl champion in New Orleans…before Denver.

    Kyle Shannahan is established. Super Bowl with the Falcons as OC and 2 Super Bowl appearances with San Francisco.

    Sean McVay is established, 2 Super Bowl appearances with one championship.

    See where I’m going? When you’re established, you can call the plays. When you’re a first year head coach, you need to be the head coach and that’s not what has happened in Miami.
     
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  6. texanphinatic

    texanphinatic Senior Member

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    They were calling plays from day 1 though. I'm just not going to force an unneeded variable that limits our pool of candidates. The good coach will win through regardless.
     
  7. Fireland

    Fireland Well-Known Member

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    Tomlin?
     
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  8. texanphinatic

    texanphinatic Senior Member

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    IIRC he's under contract through next year. Seems like the Steelers might give him one last shot and just let the contract expire vs firing him. They are big on the "we've never fired a coach here" thing.

    But man, that game was horrendous.
     
  9. Finatik

    Finatik Season Ticket Holder Staff Member Club Member

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    The Dolphins have requested to interview Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard for their vacant head coaching job, Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports.

    It is Sheppard’s first head coaching interview.

    He became the Lions’ defensive coordinator a year ago — his first time as a coordinator — when Aaron Glenn left to become the Jets’ head coach.

    Sheppard was the Lions’ outside linebackers coach (2021) and linebackers coach (2022-24) before becoming the team’s coordinator.

    The Dolphins have completed interviews with Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak and have requested to interview Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh and Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula.
     
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  10. texanphinatic

    texanphinatic Senior Member

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    I mean, I guess I don't mind giving an interview ... but there is serious and warranted discussion about whether Detroit should replace him as defensive coordinator. Spoiler, they absolutely should.

    He's definitely got some Campbell vibes as like a tough, rah rah type guy, but he absolutely has nowhere near the experience or expertise needed to be a head coach at this time. I'd be reticent to hire him as a DC let alone a HC spot.
     
  11. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    I think he's just checking off a box for the Dolphins. No need to worry about him.
     
  12. hitman8

    hitman8 Well-Known Member

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    When are we going to Interview Harbaugh for Christ's sake?

    I don't want another coordinator.
     
  13. Vertical Limit

    Vertical Limit Senior Member

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    Adam Schefter
    Breaking: After a historic 19-season run in Pittsburgh, Mike Tomlin just informed his team that he is stepping down as the Steelers head coach, sources tell @JFowlerESPN and me. The Steelers now will be looking for only their fourth head coach since 1969.



    Hip hop Mike Tomlin is available
     
  14. Finatik

    Finatik Season Ticket Holder Staff Member Club Member

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    After 19 years, Tomlin is moving on. The expectation, we’re told, is that he’ll step away from coaching for at least a year. It’s been believed that he has an offer in hand with a network. The current prevailing sentiment is he’ll land at Fox. (Every network will surely want him.)

    It’s also possible, in theory, that a team with an opening will try to make him an offer he won’t refuse, while also coming to an agreement with the Steelers on compensation.

    Regardless, after nearly two decades in Pittsburgh, Tomlin will be moving on from the Steelers.
     
  15. cbrad

    cbrad .

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    Let's see who Pittsburgh picks as their new coach. They have by far the best record with HCs in the last 50+ years: only 3 HCs, Noll, Cowher and Tomlin, all of whom won a SB. I hope they finally start to get into the HC carousel most other teams experience.
     
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  16. texanphinatic

    texanphinatic Senior Member

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    A tough situation. No QB, glaring talent gaps, aging roster, not a good draft position. This is a team that may look to do a bottom out reset. Feels like maybe they presented that plan to Tomlin who opted out.
     
  17. TheHighExhaulted

    TheHighExhaulted Well-Known Member

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    With all these coaches out here and somehow we end up with Jeff Hafley, I dont think I can take it anymore.
     
  18. texanphinatic

    texanphinatic Senior Member

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    Apparently we are also interviewing Patrick Graham. Based oh him, Shepherd and Hafley I'd probably take the latter. It's college, but he at least has HC experience to a degree. I do find the amount of defensive interviews interesting. It's definitely not my preferred avenue, but oh well.
     
  19. TheHighExhaulted

    TheHighExhaulted Well-Known Member

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    LaFleur is my number one choice right now if they can't get an extension done in Green Bay. If they go defense, right now I'm kind of on the Bob Salah train.
     
  20. The_Dark_Knight

    The_Dark_Knight Defender of the Truth

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    I just did a deep dive on Pittsburgh and the reason for their success for 55 years and only having 3 head coaches in that time frame.

    First, all 3 were defensive coordinators:
    Noll; DC Baltimore Colts (under Shula)
    Cowher; DC Kansas City Chiefs
    Tomlin; DC Minnesota Vikings.

    Why this is significant? A defensive coach doesn’t rely on a quarterback to win and is able to adapt. Bradshaw, Malone, Stewart, Roethlisburger, Rudolph, Trubitsky, Pickett, Fields. Yes, Bradshaw and Roethlisburger but all of the others? Functional but not the center piece of the Steelers success.

    Rooney valued leadership and culture over trends. Noll, Cowher and Tomlin set a culture and identity for the Steelers of being a hard nosed team that play hard. Rooney never chased a trend of the hot coordinator, focusing rather on strong leadership, communication and player development.

    Who will the Rooney family select as their next head coach? A dime to a dollar says it will be someone of a defensive background who is a strong leader and not necessarily a hot commodity.
     
  21. The_Dark_Knight

    The_Dark_Knight Defender of the Truth

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    If you do the research, you’ll find that head coaches with offensive backgrounds peak quicker but don’t have as long of a tenure. As the quarterback goes, so does the head coach.

    Defensive head coaches don’t rely on elite quarterback play and are more able to adapt. They tend to have longer tenure and overall greater success.

    The greatest example of this was Don Shula.
     

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