The Miami Dolphins have named Jeff Hafley as their new head coach. He was hired following the departure of Mike McDaniel. Local 10 reports that Hafley, formerly the Packers’ defensive coordinator, will work in Miami alongside the new Dolphins GM, Jon-Eric Sullivan, who also previously worked with the Packers.
Dolphins owner Stephen Ross commented on Hafley’s appointment. Hafley, 46, previously contributed to the Green Bay Packers’ defense, helping the team rank in the top 10 in several statistical categories.
Jeff Hafley assumes his new role after serving as Boston College head coach in 2024 and contributing to the Green Bay Packers’ defense, where he worked alongside Jon-Eric Sullivan. Hafley’s hiring continues a pattern by Dolphins owner Stephen Ross of selecting head coaches without prior NFL head coaching experience, a trend that included Joe Philbin, Adam Gase, Brian Flores, and Mike McDaniel, according to NBC Miami.
The hiring of Jeff Hafley comes amid an organizational reset that includes evaluating the quarterback situation. Tua Tagovailoa, who struggled late in the 2025 season and was benched for the final three games, remains under a significant salary guarantee, complicating potential team moves. During the coaching search, the Dolphins also considered former Cleveland coach Kevin Stefanski and Seattle offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak before selecting Hafley.
With the Dolphins’ last playoff win now further in the past, Ross, Sullivan, and Hafley face significant challenges ahead. “He has a vision for the kind of team we will be and the ability to motivate them to move in one direction on the path towards that goal,” Sullivan said in comments to Local 10.
