Under Coyle, 56, there’s a very good chance the Dolphins will move to a 4-3 defense, though general manager Jeff Ireland stopped short of saying it was definite.

“I’ve prepared our scouts, especially in December when we made a coaching change, that we need to be looking at 4-3 personnel...,” Ireland said. “We’ll make that transition if we go that route. It’s not going to be that big a transition.”

STAFF CHANGES

• There was speculation this week that Philbin and Coyle might try to hire former colleague Mark Duffner, Jacksonville’s linebackers coach and former head coach at Maryland and Holy Cross. But the Jaguars would need to grant permission. Jeff FitzGerald, reportedly dropped by the Bengals as linebackers coach, is another possibility. The Dolphins are pursuing Ravens receivers coach Jim Hostler for the same job, The Baltimore Sun reported. Hostler was the 49ers offensive coordinator in 2007 but was fired after one season.

As The Herald reported Monday, defensive backs coach Todd Bowles was told he can look elsewhere for a job. Most of the 2011 staff will not return, with a few possible exceptions, possibly including defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers.

• Though more than a dozen departing University of Miami Hurricanes have pro aspirations, linebacker Sean Spence is the only one at the Senior Bowl. “I’ll be disappointed if I don’t go by the second round,” Spence said. “Teams are telling me I’m very instinctive. I can cover or run with any tight end or back.”

But size is an issue; Spence measured 5-11 ¾ and 228 pounds. “I like Sean Spence – he’s an undersized guy that runs around and makes plays,” NFL Network’s Mike Mayock said. “The nice thing is he can make a home on special teams. He can work his way into a nickel linebacker and maybe even a starter.”