The Miami Dolphins will hold a press conference on Thursday, officially introducing former Green Bay Packers Vice President of Player Personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan as the team’s new General Manager and former Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley as the new head coach. Two of the major pieces of the rebuild Miami will undergo during the 2026 offseason are now in place, allowing the team to begin its planning for free agency, the NFL Draft, and the 2026 season.
One of the next questions that needs
to be answered is who will fill out Hafley’s first coaching staff. Both coordinator positions need to be named, along with the various position groups. A first-time head coach needs to find the right assistants to help him transition into the new job. He could look for a coach who has head coaching experience to give him an internal check-and-balance system. He could look to coaches with whom he has previously worked, giving him people who already know the system he wants to run and how the players can fit into it.
Building the staff will be a key event for Hafley and the Dolphins. But, who could he hire? Since Hafley came up on the defensive side, finding the right offensive coordinator to help him install the best system possible could be critical to turning around an underperforming Miami team. This morning, we take a look at some of the offensive coordinator candidates who may be available for Hafley.
Joe Brady, Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator
Miami held a virtual interview with Brady for the head coaching position, ultimately hiring Hafley for the position. But, could Hafley reach out to see if Brady – who might be an internal hire for the Bills as their next head coach – would move to South Florida? His motion forcing mismatches is similar to Mike McDaniel’s offense, but he does seem to spread the ball a little more (not getting focused on Tyreek Hill as the first, second, and third option) and he has proven he remembers the running game exists – James Cook led the league with over 1600 rushing yards this year. Brady is in demand for multiple positions with multiple teams, so he might be a tough sell.
Starting his coaching career in 2013 at William & Mary, Brady moved from linebackers coach to a graduate assistant at Penn State in 2015 then to an offensive assistant with the New Orleans Saints in 2017. In 2019 he spent a season as the passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach at LSU before being named the offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers for two years. In 2022, he joined the Bills, first as the quarterbacks coach then taking over as the offensive coordinator during the 2023 season.
Brian Angelichio, Minnesota Vikings passing game coordinator
Angelichio is an interesting name to watch for the Dolphins’ position. Working as the passing game coordinator and tight ends coach since 2022, Angelichio and Hafley have worked together at Pitt (2006-2010), Rutgers (2011), the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2012-2013), and the Cleveland Browns (2014-2015). He has primarily worked as a tight ends coach for much of his career, but he does have some offensive coordinator experience at Ithaca College from 2000 to 2005.
Brian Callahan, former Tennessee Titans head coach
Callahan only lasted six games into his second season with Tennessee, finishing his tenure with a 4-19 record. It was not a glorious transition into his first head coaching role, but it could mean he is set to return to an offensive coordinator role. He was the Cincinnati Bengals’ offensive coordinator from 2019 through 2023, working with quarterback Joe Burrow after the team selected him first overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. As a quarterbacks coach with the Detroit Lions from 2016 to 2017, Callahan worked directly with then-Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, helping to improve his passer rating to a career high at the time.
During his career, Callahan has worked at the high school, college, and NFL levels, including with the Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Oakland Raiders, Bengals, and Titans. He is the son of former Raiders and University of Nebraska head coach, and current Atlanta Falcons offensive line coach, Bill Callahan.
Brian Daboll, former New York Giants head coach
The former Giants head coach could be one of the top offensive coordinators on the market this year. Not only does he have head coaching experience, he has a track record of quarterback development (see Josh Allen with the Buffalo Bills) and has tailored his system to be a power-running game rather than a pass first scheme (see Alabama). He could immediately take charge of the offense, freeing Hafley to work on the defense and transitioning into a true head coach. He would have to prove that he can get along with the players and the coaching staff, something that has not always been apparent in previous stops. He is in the mix to return to Buffalo as their head coach.
Before his stint with the Giants, Daboll was Buffalo’s offensive coordinator from 2018 to 2021. He worked one season as the offensive coordinator at Alabama following four years as the tight ends coach with the New England Patriots. He has also had stints as the offensive coordinator with the Kansas City Chiefs, the Dolphins, and the Cleveland Browns.
Anthony Lynn, Washington Commanders running backs coach
Lynn brings with him offensive coordinator and head coaching experience and could be a great mentor/resource for Hafley. A former NFL running back, Lynn has been coaching since 2000, including stints as the Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions offensive coordinator and the Los Angeles Chargers head coach. He is expected to interview with the Bills for their head coaching position this year.
He started his coaching career with the Denver Broncos as a special teams assistant in 2000 before moving to the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2003 as their running backs coach. He continued in that role with the Dallas Cowboys in 2005 and 2006 before a move to the Cleveland Browns for 2007 and 2008. He spent six years with the New York Jets, primarily as the running backs coach but adding assistant head coach to his title for the 2013 and 2014 seasons. In 2015, he moved to the Buffalo Bills where he worked various roles, including running backs coach, offensive coordinator, assistant head coach, and interim head coach in two seasons. He was the Chargers’ head coach from 2017 to 2020, then was the Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator in 2021. After two seasons as the running backs coach and assistant head coach with the San Francisco 49ers, he joined the Commanders in 2024.
Mike Kafka, New York Giants offensive coordinator (interim head coach)
The Giants fired head coach Brian Daboll during the 2025 season, with offensive coordinator Mike Kafka working as the team’s interim head coach. The Giants’ hiring of former Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh this offseason was in part due to the play of quarterback Jaxson Dart, with Kafka playing a big role in the rookie’s adjustment to the NFL. A former NFL quarterback, Kafka was in his first role as an offensive coordinator and is likely to land the same role somewhere in 2026 due to Dart’s development. New York finished the year fifth in rushing offense, which could be a good sign for Achane if Kafka were to join Hafley’s staff.
Kafka spent five seasons in the NFL, primarily as a practice squad player. He appeared in four game with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2011. He moved into coaching in 2016 as a graduate assistant at Northwestern before moving to the NFL as the offensive quality control coach for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2017. He served as the Chiefs’ quarterbacks coach from 2018 through 2021, adding the passing game coordinator title for the last two seasons before joining the Giants in 2022 as their offensive coordinator. New York added assistant head coach to his title in 2024 and 2025.
Kliff Kingsbury, former Washington Commanders offensive coordinator
Kingsbury would bring with him experience as both an NFL and a college head coach, which could be beneficial for Hafley. The air-raid offensive system may not be exactly what Hafley wants, but if the Dolphins are completely rebuilding the team, they could make that adjustment. The college game has transitioned into such a heavy shotgun system that Kingsbury’s offense might be exactly what a newly drafted quarterback needs to make the transition into the NFL. Kingsbury has not proven he is willing to adapt his offense to the players, but rather expects players to conform to the system – which could be an issue depending on who stays in Miami and how the 2026 NFL Draft plays out.
The former NFL and CFL quarterback started his coaching career in 2008 at the University of Houston, working his way up to co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach by 2011. In 2012, he was hired as the offensive coordinator at Texas A&M before becoming the head coach at Texas Tech from 2013 to 2018. In 2019, he moved to the NFL as the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, remaining through 2022. After a year as an offensive analyst for USC, he was hired in 2024 as the Washington Commanders’ offensive coordinator.
Sean Mannion, Green Bay Packers quarterbacks coach
Mannion’s coaching career is all of two years old, working as an offensive assistant with the Packers in 2024 and as their quarterbacks coach in 2025. A former third-round draft pick of the St. Louis Rams in 2015, Mannion had an eight-year career as a quarterback, primarily working as a backup/practice squad player. Last week he was named the offensive coordinator for the East-West Shrine Bowl and is a quickly rising, familiar option for Hafley
Todd Monken, Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator
After the Ravens fired Harbaugh this offseason, the coach joined the New York Giants in the same role. Monken spent the last three years as Harbaugh’s offensive coordinator and could follow him to New York, though he has also interviewed as a potential head coaching candidate this offseason. If the Dolphins could entice Monken to move to South Florida, he would bring a balanced offensive attack, which could maximize the potential of running back De’Von Achane, especially as the Dolphins figure out their quarterback position.
Monken has been the offensive coordinator with the Ravens (2023-2025), the University of Georgia (2020-2022), with the Cleveland Browns (2019), the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2016-2018), Oklahoma State University (2011-2012), and Eastern Michigan University (1998-1999). He was the head coach at Southern Miss from 2013 through 2015.
Zac Robinson, Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator
Robinson has spent two years as the Falcons’ offensive coordinator. The Atlanta offense finished 14th this year in total offense (333.0 yards per game), but in 2024, before quarterback injuries impacted the Falcons’ offense, Robinson’s system ranked sixth in total offense (369.8 yards per game). With quarterback Michael Penix, Jr., missing eight games this season, the running game became more important to Atlanta’s offense attack, finishing the year eighth in rushing offense (125.8 yards per game).
Prior to being hired as Atlanta’s offensive coordinator in 2024, Robinson spent five seasons with the Los Angeles Rams, working as an assistant quarterback coach, assistant wide receivers coach, and passing game coordinator/quarterbacks coach during that span. A former NFL quarterback, Robinson spent time with the Bengals, Lions, and Seahawks over four years.
Nate Scheelhaase, Los Angeles Rams passing game coordinator
Scheelhaase only started his coaching career in 2015, and he is on the fast track toward being a coordinator. The Sean McVay pipeline is a benefit in that rise, but he has only been with the Rams for two seasons, so it is not only the McVay coaching tree that has him in consideration. He might not be the perfect coordinator right now, but he could be someone that might develop alongside Hafley as the Dolphins evolve into this next version of the club.
Initially hired into the football operations staff at the University of Illinois in 2015, Scheelhaase moved that season into the running backs coach position. In 2018, he spent the year in the same position at Iowa State before moving to the wide receivers, then combining both position groups under his position in 2021. In 2023, he was named the offensive coordinator. He moved to the Rams in 2024 as a passing game specialist, assuming the passing game coordinator title this season.
David Shaw, Detroit Lions passing game coordinator
The Lions, with Shaw in his first year as the passing game coordinator, finished 2025 as the third-ranked passing offense, throwing for an average of 253.1 yards per game. Where Shaw’s resume is even better, however, is his time at the collegiate level, particularly at Stanford. In 19 seasons at the university, Shaw worked his way from offensive coordinator to head coach, holding the top spot for 12 years. His 2010 season as the team’s offensive coordinator included game planning for quarterback Andrew Luck, who finished the year as a Heisman Trophy finalist, but also featured a running game that was 17th in the nation that season.
At the NFL level, Shaw has experience with the Philadelphia Eagles, Oakland Raiders, Baltimore Ravens, and the Lions. He also spent the 2024 season in the front office of the Denver Broncos as a personnel executive. Along with his time at Stanford, his college experience includes time at Western Washington University and University of San Diego, where he was the passing game coordinator and wide receiver coach on Jim Harbaugh’s staff.
Steve Shimko, Dallas Cowboys quarterbacks coach
Shimko has only four seasons of NFL experience as a coach, working as an offensive assistant and an assistant quarterbacks coach for the Seattle Seahawks in 2018 and 2019 and then as an offensive assistant and quarterbacks coach for the Cowboys the last two seasons. However, his college experience could be a huge signal that he is on Hafley’s radar. Shimko was the tight ends coach at Boston College in 2020 and 2021, then the quarterbacks coach in 2022, and the offensive coordinator in 2023. The Boston College head coach for those four seasons was Hafley. Could a reunion happen in Miami?
Shimko is not the offensive coordinator in Dallas, but he is involved in the scheming and play calling, with head coach Brian Schottenheimer asking for input from Shinko on plays for specific players.
Bobby Slowik, Miami Dolphins senior passing game coordinator
The Dolphins have an experienced offensive coordinator still under contract who could be in consideration. Slowik joined Mike McDaniel’s staff in 2025, reuniting the two who had worked together previously with the Washington Commanders and San Francisco 49ers. The Dolphins passing offense was not great this past season, but that seems to be more based on the regression of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa than on anything Slowik was doing in his coordinator role. Prior to joining McDaniel in Miami, Slowik worked for two years as the offensive coordinator with the Houston Texans.
Prior to Miami and Houston, he worked his way from defensive quality control coach to offensive assistant to offensive pass game specialist to offensive passing game coordinator with the 49ers in a four-year span. He was with Washington as a defensive assistant from 2011 to 2013. The Philadelphia Eagles are expected to interview him for their offensive coordinator position.
Adam Stenavich, Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator
This one would be interesting. Technically, Stenavich is a current offensive coordinator, which would allow the Packers to deny an interview and could lead to a trade needing to be made, but Stenavich does not call plays with the Packers – head coach Matt LaFleur covers that – and there seems to be some discussion of needing to bring in a new coordinator in Green Bay. Hafley (and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan) knows Stenavich and could look to him to provide a stabilizing force on the offensive side of the ball – but he would have to be ready to call plays for the offense.
An offensive lineman during his NFL career, Stenavich started coaching in 20112 as a strength and conditioning intern and graduate assistant at the University of Michigan. He was hired by Northern Arizona University in 2014 as their offensive line coach, then he moved to San Jose State University in 2015 for the same role. He was hired by the San Francisco 49ers in 2017 as an assistant offensive line coach before moving to the Packers as their offensive line coach in 2019. He added run game coordinator responsibilities in 2021 then was named the offensive coordinator in 2022.
Israel Woolfork, Arizona Cardinals quarterbacks coach
The Cardinals finished 2025 as the seventh-ranked passing offense, averaging 232.6 yards per game, with quarterbacks Jacoby Brissett and Kyler Murray both starting portions of the season.
Woolfork started his coaching career in 2013 at Miami University (Ohio) before joining the Cleveland Browns in 2021. He moved to the Cardinals in 2023.
