Additional names surface for Dolphins’ DC opening. And Hill a finalist for NFL award
The Dolphins were linked to Vic Fangio when Mike McDaniel was first hired as head coach last year and now he will officially interview for their defensive coordinator opening.
A league source confirmed Miami is speaking to Fangio, along with former Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Sean Desai, about their defensive coordinator vacancy Wednesday. The Dolphins are also expected to interview Saints co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach Kris Richard for their opening.
Fangio, who turns 65 in August, spent the 2022 season as a defensive consultant for the Eagles. He has served as defensive coordinator for the Panthers, Colts, Texans, 49ers and Bears. Fangio was named 2018 AP NFL Assistant Coach of the Year after leading a Chicago defense that ranked first in takeaways and parlayed that into his first head coaching opportunity with the Broncos. He was fired after three seasons, accumulating a 19-30 record.
Desai, who turns 40 in April, worked under Fangio in Chicago and was the Bears’ defensive coordinator for the 2021 season. He was not retained after Matt Eberflus was hired as head coach and spent this past season as an associate head coach with the Seahawks. Desai also has local ties, serving as assistant director of football operations at the University of Miami in 2011.
Richard, who turns 43 in August, originally joined the Saints in 2021. He had a three-year stint as Seahawks’ defensive coordinator from 2015 to 2017; Seattle ranked first in points allowed in 2015 and third in 2016 before dropping to 13th in 2017. He also interviewed for the Dolphins’ head-coach opening in 2019 before Miami ultimately hired Brian Flores.
A former NFL cornerback who spent time with the Dolphins in 2005, Richard got his start in coaching in 2008 as a graduate assistant with USC, his alma mater. Richard joined coach Pete Carroll when he left USC for Seattle and took a role as assistant defensive backs coach. He worked his way up to the defensive coordinator role and then served as defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator for the Cowboys for the 2018 and 2019 seasons. He was not retained by head coach Mike McCarthy after Jason Garrett was fired in 2020.
The Dolphins are also interviewing linebackers coach Anthony Campanile, a league source told the Miami Herald.
NFL Network first reported the Dolphins are interviewing Fangio and Richard.
Hill a finalist for NFL award
Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill is a finalist for the 2022 AP Offensive Player of the Year award, the NFL announced Wednesday.
In his first season in Miami, Hill set career-high marks for catches (119) and receiving yards (1,710), which also broke franchise marks. He also recorded eight total touchdowns. Hill only trailed Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson, who is also a finalist for the honor, in receptions and yards.
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes are also finalists for the Offensive Player of the Year award.
The winners will be announced at the 12th annual NFL Honors ceremony on Feb. 9, 2023, and will be broadcast live on NBC, Peacock and NFL Network.
This story was originally published January 25, 2023 at 10:07 AM.
