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Recap of Jeff Hafley’s Combine Press Conference

Originally posted on Dolphins Talk | By Mike Oliva | Last updated Feb 24, 2026 2:03 PM ET

Jon-Eric Sullivan wasn’t the only person to meet with the media on Tuesday. New Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley also had a press conference, and below are some of the things he said.

Regarding his defense, Hafley said he would like his personnel to be able to switch between three-down and four-down linemen formations.

Jeff Hafley said he would like his defense to have variety between three- and four-down linemen formations, but he would like the same personnel to be able to flip between those fronts. https://t.co/RZZ3p3Cwqb

— David Furones (@DavidFurones_) February 24, 2026

Hafley said Bobby Slowik hit a home run during the interview process and that he trusts him as a person.

Dolphins HC Jeff Hafley said OC Bobby Slowik “hit a home run” during the interview process

“I trust him as a person — which is huge for me as a developer” pic.twitter.com/OkTKlaInwL

— Marcel Louis-Jacques (@Marcel_LJ) February 24, 2026

When asked about working with Malik Willis in Green Bay when Willis was the scout team QB, he said Willis gave him everything he had.

Talking about Malik Willis as scout team QB in GB, Hafley said “he always did a really good job and gave us everything he had.”

He said he would have to remind him not to scramble when Packers were preparing for pocket QB. https://t.co/8EKT1Elltr

— David Furones (@DavidFurones_) February 24, 2026

Jeff Hafley says the culture he wants is that playing hard isn’t good enough; he wants to win.

Jeff Hafley wants to build a culture of what he wants the Miami Dolphins to be. Playing hard not good enough. “I want to win,” Hafley said. pic.twitter.com/SdpmaDKzYF

— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) February 24, 2026

Hafley said that from his time in San Francisco, it showed him the power structure and leadership he wants to build in Miami.

Video: New Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley said his time with the 49ers showed him a power structure and leadership he’d like to emulate in Miami. pic.twitter.com/IZwUnHWx9E

— Greg Auman (@gregauman) February 24, 2026

Hafley said he was blown away by Kevin Patullo in the interview process, and old Bobby Slowik, they had to find a way to hire him.

Jeff Hafley said he was blown away by former Eagles OC Kevin Patullo when he interviewed him and told his OC, Bobby Slowik, the Dolphins had to find a way to hire him. https://t.co/8EKT1ElTiZ

— David Furones (@DavidFurones_) February 24, 2026

On his shared vision with Jon-Eric Sullivan.

We have a shared vision for the importance of a solid foundation- Jeff Hafley on Jon-Eric Sullivan pic.twitter.com/UMXNPCKbGC

— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) February 24, 2026

Hafley said he has six head coach interviews in five days from his office in Green Bay. But he liked the Miami job because of the alignment with the general manager.

Jeff Hafley said he had 6 head coach interviews in 5 days — all from his office in Green Bay — immediately after the Packers’ playoff loss.

He said the Miami job was attractive in part because he wanted “alignment with the GM and even more perfect to come in at the same time.” pic.twitter.com/MQdXhfsLMD

— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) February 24, 2026

This article first appeared on Dolphins Talk and was syndicated with permission.

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