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Reports: Dolphins choose Jeff Hafley as new head coach

By Thomson Reuters Jan 19, 2026 | 5:06 PM

The Miami Dolphins reportedly decided to hire Jeff Hafley as their new head coach on Monday, the same ‍day he had a second interview with the club.

Hafley spent the past two seasons as defensive coordinator of the Green Bay Packers.

Hafley, 46, was scheduled to interview for the ‌Tennessee Titans’ head-coaching position on ‌Tuesday.

Hafley will succeed the dismissed Mike McDaniel as Miami’s coach. McDaniel went 35-33 in four seasons with the Dolphins, including 7-10 in 2025.

The Dolphins ​didn’t immediately announce Hafley’s hiring. They did announce the completion of the ‍second interview shortly before ​news reports of his hiring emerged.

New ​Miami general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan also came ‍from Green Bay after 22 seasons in that organization. He has a high level of familiarity with Hafley.

Hafley was formerly a head coach at Boston College, compiling ‍a 22-26 record in four seasons (2020-23) at the school.

Hafley also had NFL jobs coaching defensive backs ‍with the ‍Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2012-13), Cleveland Browns (2014-15) ​and San Francisco 49ers (2016-18). He ​also ⁠was co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs ‌coach at Ohio State in 2019.

Earlier Monday, the Dolphins confirmed they interviewed Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham and Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard for the head job.

–Field ⁠Level Media