Meet new Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley

The Miami Dolphins open the 2026 NFL season with a new coach, Jeff Hafley, who is the 15th head coach in the franchise's history. Hafley, who had been the Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator, was introduced to South Florida on January 19, replacing the fired Mike McDaniel. He signed a 5-year con

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What is the story about?

The Miami Dolphins open the 2026 NFL season with a new coach, Jeff Hafley, who is the 15th head coach in the franchise's history.

Hafley, who had been the Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator, was introduced to South Florida on January 19, replacing the fired Mike McDaniel. He signed a 5-year contract.

As the Dolphins open the regular season at the Las Vegas Raiders, here are some things to know about their new head coach:

Jeff Hafley has head coaching experience

Hafley was the head football coach at Boston College for four seasons (2020-2023). He went 22-26, reaching a bowl game in three seasons.

He has been an assistant coach at Ohio State, Rutgers, Pittsburgh, Albany and Worcester (Mass.) Polytechnic and an assistant with the Packers, 49ers, Browns and Bucs in the NFL.

Resume includes impressive turnaround for Packers defense

Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley hugs defensive end Micah Parsons (1) as defensive end Rashan Gary (52) looks on before their game against the Detroit Lions Sunday, September 7, 2025 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

In Green Bay,

Hafley took over a poor defense and transformed it into a top-5 total defense in 2024 and top-12 in 2025.

He set the tone for the defense in Miami during off-season practices. In a video released by the club last spring, Hafley was stressing the need for a sense of urgency. Hafley is willing to get his shoes dirty; he was seen during one off-season practice violently trying to knock the ball away from Dolphins player in a drill in which he wore a large pad on one arm.

Jeff Hafley will call defensive plays

Aug 2, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley (left) speaks to general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan (right) during practice at Baptist Health Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Hafley made it clear from the start that he will be the defensive play-caller. He will be calling those defensive signals from the sideline, as opposed to the press box, and that started with the three preseason games.

What will that Dolphins defense look like?

Look for a high percentage of pressures with creative blitzing. His Packers were 7th in the NFL in pressures last season Also, look for a disciplined defense - Green Bay was 8th in fewest penalties in the league in 2026. Look for rotating defenders, especially in the secondary, to create deception and confusion. That could be critical with a room of defensive backs who are very young.

Bruce Springsteen foremost on his sound track

While not the rabid rock fan who has seen Bruce Springsteen in concert dozens of times, the New Jersey-born Hafley knows his way around The Boss.

“When you’re in Jersey, you’re, like, born with a Bruce Springsteen cassette tape when you’re my age,” says Hafley, 47.

“Growing up in Jersey, I think there’s a toughness,” Hafley says. “I think there’s somewhat of an underdog mentality. I think people look at Jersey a certain way from the outside, and I think the people in Jersey kind of stick together and think it’s the greatest place in the whole world.”