The Pittsburgh Steelers gained a potential head coaching candidate in Sean McDermott on Monday. But they also lost one with Jeff Hafley going off the board.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Monday evening the Miami Dolphins are hiring Hafley as their next head coach. Hafley completed his second interview with the Dolphins hours before Schefter’s report.
Hafley greatly impressed the Dolphins front office during his first interview and became the favorite to land the job.
Hafley has also impressed Steelers pundits, including Steelers Depot’s Alex Kozora. The Steelers writer argued last week that Hafley would be his choice to fill the team’s head coaching vacancy.
Instead, Jeff Hafley lands in Miami.
According to Steelers senior director of communications Burt Lauten, Hafley was one of seven candidates the Steelers met with virtually over the past week.
The Steelers also met with Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, who they will also interview in person this week. Schefter reported Sunday the Steelers plan to speak with former head coach Mike McCarthy about the opening as well.
Dolphins Hire Jeff Hafley as Head Coach: Report
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero first reported Saturday that Hafley was emerging as the top candidate for the Dolphins. Pelissero included in his report Hafley completely impressed during his first interview.
“I’m told that Hafley blew everyone away in his initial virtual interview with the Dolphins,” Pelissero said on NFL Network. “He worked with their new GM, John Eric Sullivan, in Green Bay. Has head coach experience at Boston College.”
Since then, pundits have considered Hafley the favorite to land in Miami. Unsurprisingly, the Dolphins made the hire.
Hafley will replace Mike McDaniel, who was Miami’s head coach for four years. McDaniel led the Dolphins to a 35-33 overall record. The Dolphins went to the postseason in his first two seasons.
But the past two years, Miami has struggled to recapture the offensive magic that led to their 11 wins in 2023.
The past two seasons, Hafley served as the Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator. In 2025, the Packers finished 11th in scoring defense and 12th in yards allowed under Hafley.
Hafley was Boston College’s head coach from 2020-23. He left that job because he didn’t enjoy managing the new college football landscape toward the end of his tenure.
Hafley was an Ohio State co-defensive coordinator in 2019. Prior to that, he coached defensive backs for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers from 2012-18.
The 46-year-old coach has previous ties to Pittsburgh. He was a defensive assistant and defensive backs coach for Pitt from 2006-10.
What’s Next for Steelers Head Coaching Search
Hafley going to Miami is disappointing for anyone hoping the New Jersey native would return to one of his old college stomping ground. But the Steelers have several other quality candidates they can pursuit.
Similar to Hafley, Ejiro Evero, Jesse Minter, Chris Shula and Anthony Weaver have put together strong resumes as defensive coordinators. If the Steelers are set on a coach with previous head coaching experience, Flores is still available.
Klay Kubiak and Nate Scheelhaase are the top two candidates from the offensive side of the ball for the Steelers.
The Steelers are scheduled to meet with Flores and Weaver in person this week. The team will likely interview other candidates in person as well.
Steelers Lose Head Coaching Candidate to AFC Foe: Report