Super Bowl 54 will bring increased focus on the Miami Dolphins organization and the beautiful Hard Rock Stadium. As the city prepares for the week-long event, the coaching staff is undergoing changes that will make the team better in the future.
On Monday night, the Fins finally announced — after multiple reports — the promotion of Josh Boyer to defensive coordinator. Boyer was previously the defensive backs coach. The team also disclosed the hiring of Chan Gailey, who last served as the New York Jets offensive coordinator. Robby Brown, former Jets coach, will become quarterbacks coach. Austin Clark, formerly an Illini defensive line coach, will guide the outside linebackers. Curt Kuntz, a high school coach, will be the assistant defensive backs coach. And Steve Marshall, also formerly of the Jets, will be offensive line coach. The hires of Gailey, Boyer and Marshall were reported a few weeks ago, but the Brown, Clark and Kuntz hires are new.
Cameron Wolfe of ESPN and Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald also reported that Jim Caldwell won’t be returning to the Dolphins in 2020 after taking a leave of absence due to health issues. Caldwell was hired in February of 2019 to take over as the assistant head coach/QB coach. Wolfe stated that Caldwell is ready to return to coaching this year.
Gailey was brought out of retirement by Brian Flores and the intention is for him to come in and bolster the offense after its poor-ranking last season. Gailey is also known to be a great teacher of the game. Before the hire was made official on Monday night, it was rumored that Gailey could be a placeholder for Jerry Schuplinski, so that Schuplinski could return to the Dolphins staff. The rumors stated that the team was afraid he would leave if New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels was hired as a head coach. Those rumors were put to rest when Schuplinski, along with former defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, left to work for the New York Giants and new head coach Joe Judge.
The spread offense and multiple five wide receiver sets that Gailey runs will be intriguing for Fins’ fans. The hire isn’t splashy and the team waited a long time to confirm it. Gailey was previously retired and was known to have below-average offense and offensive lines while with the New York Jets. He did, however, have the 10th ranked offense in his first year as the Jets offensive coordinator before things declined some.
Steve Marshall has been reported to be the new Miami Dolphins o-line Coach by @flasportsbuzz. For what it’s worth, a site named Dolphins Haven was talking about this rumor last Thursday. Not so important I just find it interesting lol.
1/
— Kai’Chien Chisholm (@SamuraiiRadio) January 15, 2020
Neither Gailey nor Marshall created a consistent offense while part of the Jets. However, there is one thing that should draw Fins fans’ notice. Gailey never had a high caliber QB while with the Jets. His best was, ironically, Ryan Fitzpatrick. After that, it was Bryce Petty, Geno Smith and Josh McCown. With the Dolphins entering the Tua Tagovailoa sweepstakes, there is an opportunity for Gailey’s offense to thrive. Gailey also previously served as the Fins’ OC in 2000 and 2001, while a part of Dave Wannstedt’s coaching group.
The hire of Boyer is the most intriguing. He is known for working with young cornerbacks and bringing them up to play at a pro-bowl level. This year, he worked closely with an undrafted corner from UTEP, Nik Needham, and turned him into an NFL starter after a rough preseason.
Needham is a project that worked out very well for Boyer. He was the defensive backs coach/cornerbacks coach with the Patriots from 2009 to 2018 before coming to Miami with Flores. Now, hopefully they will bring the Patriots winning ways south.
