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Leading candidate emerges for Dolphins head coach job

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated Jan 17, 2026 4:05 PM ET

The Miami Dolphins may be settling on a top candidate to become their new head coach.

Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley has emerged as a frontrunner for the Miami job, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. While no final decision has been made, Hafley appears to be the Dolphins’ first choice, though he still has interest from elsewhere.

Packers DC Jeff Hafley has emerged as a frontrunner for the Dolphins head coaching job, per sources.

No final decisions made. More interviews are scheduled. Four other teams have requested second interviews with Hafley. But he appears to be the leading candidate in Miami. pic.twitter.com/nzjSjPU81J
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 17, 2026

Hafley has been a very popular candidate for coaching vacancies this offseason. He has been with the Packers for two years and has drawn a great deal of praise for the defenses he has constructed. As an added bonus, he has previous head coaching experience at the college level with Boston College. He went 22-26 during his time with the Eagles.

If the hire were to happen, Miami would be going from an offensive-minded head coach in Mike McDaniel to a defensive coordinator in Hafley. That likely will not do much to clear up quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s future, which will be one of the first issues Miami’s next coach will have to address.

The Dolphins made the playoffs twice under McDaniel, but the organization has not actually won a playoff game since 2000. The franchise seems to believe Hafley could be the coach to change that.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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