When the Dolphins fired defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni last Monday, it was widely assumed that the team had a replacement already lined up.
With the Senior Bowl — of which the Dolphins will be coaching the South squad — only two weeks away, it was imperative that Miami have its staff set as soon as possible.
Eight days later, the Dolphins finally have their man, as the team hired veteran NFL defensive coach Mike Nolan to run the defense.
The acquisition of Nolan is an unexpected saving grace far as the general public is concerned.
After relieving Pasqualoni of his duties, the Dolphins swung and missed on three notable coaches. Last week the team interviewed longtime Parcells lieutenant Al Groh and Pittsburgh linebackers coach Keith Butler. The Dolphins also reached out to former Patriots defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel, but were informed that Crennel would honor Kansas City for making contact first and ultimately became the Chiefs defensive coordinator.
On Friday, Groh accepted the defensive coordinator position at Georgia Tech while Butler reportedly was offered and turned down the job in Miami, opting to remain in Pittsburgh. Pasqualoni, meanwhile, had been re-hired the previous day by the Dallas Cowboys as defensive line coach.
At this point, the Dolphins had some egg on their faces. Rumors emerged that secondary and assistant head coach Todd Bowles was Sparano’s choice all along. More likely, he was their fallback choice all along. At any rate, the Dolphins emerged from the weekend without a defensive coordinator.
On Monday, Nolan suddenly became available, mutually parting ways with the Denver Broncos. By Monday evening, reports swirled that he and Miami were close to an agreement. 24 hours later, Nolan is the team’s defensive boss.
As it turns out, the Dolphins requested permission to interview Nolan, 50, prior to his splitting with the Broncos. The fact that there might have been trouble in paradise likely made it’s way down the grapevine to Parcells & Co.
Regardless, the Dolphins have a life-long NFL coach with 17 years experience as defensive coordinator or head coach. This will be Nolan’s 24th season in the NFL, not counting the years he spent growing up the son of Dick Nolan. The elder Nolan spent a combined 28 seasons in the NFL as a player and coach.
Mike Nolan is known as a hard-nosed football coach who has run a multitude of defenses. He has run predominantly 3-4 in recent years, including what largely amounted to a 5-2 in his one and only season in Denver. The Broncos finished 30th in points allowed and 29th in yards allowed. In 2009, Denver improved to 7th in points and 12 in yards as Nolan transitioned the defense from the 4-3 to a 3-4 (or 5-2). Nolan moved 5′11″ defensive end Elvis Dumervil to outside linebacker, and the 4-year veteran responded with a league-leading 17.0 sacks and his first Pro Bowl berth.
While it is not yet known what flavor of the 3-4 defense Nolan will run in Miami, head coach Tony Sparano is rumored to have sought an attacking defense that will keep offenses off balance, which gives credence to the reports of the job initially being offered to Butler.
• Also on Tuesday, the Dolphins officially hired Bill Sheridan as their inside linebackers coach. Sheridan was recently fired by the Giants after one season in the defensive coordinators chair following four seasons as New York’s linebackers coach.
Meanwhile, Pasqualoni has been re-hired by the Dallas Cowboys as defensive line coach.
Loading ...
Comments on this entry are closed.