During a wild coaching carousel, the Miami Dolphins have started to conduct head coaching interviews. As of today, they have requested seven different interviews. Their latest in-person one may yet be their best option as well.
While some say that John Harbaugh is the clear cut best option out of the many in this coaching carousel, the second best name to emerge could be Kevin Stefanski. Yesterday, the Dolphins held an in-person interview with the former Browns head coach.
While Kevin Stefanski has a losing record with the Browns in his time with them, only going 45-56, he is still a two time AP Coach of the Year, and has led the Browns to two playoff appearances with two different quarterbacks.
Stefanski Emerges as a Serious Contender in a Crowded Field
In the past two weeks, Stefanski has also interviewed with the Giants, Titans, Raiders, and Falcons, all places that could seem less desirable than Miami. Still, what with the quarterback situation not being solved, and the salary cap being tight, the Dolphins certainly aren’t the most appealing either.
Still, some will say the Dolphins are doing their due diligence, as Stefanski is one of three candidates that can be interviewed in person before January 19th, as several will be coaching their teams in the playoffs and can only interview virtually for the time being. The other two names, John Harbaugh and Mike Mccarthy, have yet to be requested by the Dolphins.
The Dolphins have not stopped with Stefanski however in their search. They will hold virtual interviews with both Las Vegas DC Patrick Graham and Los Angeles Chargers DC Jesse Minter. So far, eight teams have inquired about Minter, who led a top ten defense this year in LA. Meanwhile, Graham would be a familiar face, serving as the Dolphins’ DC in 2019.
With this news, that brings the number of candidates to nine for the Dolphins, including names like Harbaugh’s, Stefanski’s, Minter’s and Graham’s, and others such as Klint Kubiak with Seattle, Robert Saleh with San Francisco, and Jeff Hafley with Green Bay. And speaking of Green Bay, Matt Lafleur could be added to the list as well.
Miami’s Search Signals a Push for Stability and a Quick Turnaround
With Stefanski’s interview, the Dolphins have established what kind of identity that may want going forward and most importantly, the desire for a potential quick fix. One of Stefanski’s strengths is getting the best out of weaker players and understanding the perfect offensive schemes to fit his team. While he has struggled to truly identify one true starting quarterback in Cleveland, he still managed to thrive with both Baker Mayfield and Joe Flacco, which is not an easy feat.
The Dolphins’ decision may also largely hinge on who Stefanski can bring with him. If he is able to lure defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz to Miami with him, that could make him ever more appealing. Still, what Stefanski has done on his own in one of the toughest places to coach in the NFL is more than enough to make him a viable head coaching candidate.
Dolphins Interview Former Browns Head Coach Kevin Stefanski for HC Spot