The Miami Dolphins are searching for a new defensive coordinator after agreeing to part ways with Vic Fangio after just one season together. Miami's defense finished the 2023 regular season ranked No. 10 in total yards allowed per game, No. 22 in points allowed, No. 15 in passing, No. 7 in rushing, No. 20 in third-down efficiency and No. 28 in red zone efficiency.
The Dolphins defense was forced to deal with injuries at all three levels in 2023, but fielding a formidable unit that can complement what was the No. 1 offense in the NFL this past season is the goal of this organization, and it all starts with who is calling the shots.
Miami is in the process of reaching out to candidates for interviews, and a couple of notable names have surfaced in this search with two already on the team. The Dolphins have already missed out on Buffalo Bills linebackers coach Bobby Babich, who Buffalo promoted to defensive coordinator, but let's break down some of the candidates for Miami's defensive coordinator vacancy.
Leslie Frazier
Frazier is interviewing for Miami's defensive coordinator job, according to ESPN. The veteran coach interviewed for a couple of head-coaching jobs this cycle, but took the 2023 season off from coaching. Previously, he served as the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator for the Bills for six years, and was the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings from 2011-13. Without a doubt, Frazier is one of the more experienced defensive minds available.
Brandon Staley
NFL Media reports the Dolphins interviewed former Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley for their defensive coordinator job. Staley was fired in December after a 5-9 start. In three seasons with the Chargers, he went 24-24, and 0-1 in the postseason. Previously, Staley served as the defensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Rams for one season in 2020. That year, the Rams defense ranked first in both yards and points. Staley made his name coaching outside linebackers with the Chicago Bears and Broncos. He also reportedly interviewed with the Green Bay Packers for their defensive coordinator job.
Anthony Campanile
The Dolphins interviewed Campanile for defensive coordinator, per KPRC2. He is an in-house candidate to replace Fangio, having been with the Dolphins for four seasons now as their linebackers coach. This offseason, he interviewed with the New York Giants for their defensive coordinator job. Previously, Campanile worked as the linebackers coach at Michigan, and co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at Boston College.
Ryan Slowik
Miami is expected to interview its current outside linebackers coach for the defensive coordinator gig, KPRC2 reports. Slowik's brother, Bobby, is the offensive coordinator for the Houston Texans. In 2022, Slowik was hired by the Dolphins as a defensive assistant. Previously, he worked as the outside linebackers coach for the Cleveland Browns, assistant defensive line coach for the New York Jets and as an assistant for the Arizona Cardinals and Denver Broncos. Slowik's father, Bob Slowik, coached for 10 seasons in the NFL as a defensive coordinator.
Anthony Weaver
The Athletic reports that the Dolphins will interview Weaver, the current Baltimore Ravens defensive line coach and associate head coach, for their defensive coordinator opening. Weaver is another candidate who received some head-coaching interviews this cycle. A former second-round pick of the Ravens back in 2002, Weaver played defensive end for Baltimore and Houston for a total of seven seasons. He's worked as a defensive line coach for the Bills, Browns and Texans. Weaver had defensive coordinator responsibilities with Houston in 2020.
Chris Kiffin
The Dolphins plan to interview the Texans' linebackers coach for their defensive coordinator job, per NFL Media. Kiffin just wrapped up his first season as Houston's linebackers coach. Previously, he spent three seasons with the Browns as their defensive line coach, and two years with the San Francisco 49ers as a defensive assistant, where he crossed over with Mike McDaniel.
Chris Shula
Miami is interviewing the Rams' assistant for the DC job, NFL Media reports. Shula is perhaps best known as the grandson of former Dolphins Hall of Fame coach Don Shula, the winningest coach in league history. He's spent the last seven years under Sean McVay, primarily as Los Angeles' linebackers coach but more recently as pass-game and pass-rush coordinator.
