Dolphins hire Packers defensive coordinator as new head coach

The Miami Dolphins are once again turning to the Green Bay Packers to bring a key figure in the organization’s new leadership aboard.

The Dolphins are hiring Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley the team’s new head coach, according to multiple reports on Monday.

The Dolphins had Hafley in for an interview on Monday and identified him as their candidate before his scheduled interview with the Tennessee Titans on Tuesday, according to multiple reports.

Hafley’s hire marks the first major move by new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, who was also with the Packers before joining the Dolphins.

Hafley, 46, had been Green Bay’s defensive coordinator for the last two seasons after serving as Boston College’s head coach from 2020-23. The Packers ranked in the top 12 in both yards allowed and scoring defense in both 2024 and 2025, with the latter unit derailed by season-ending injuries to All-Pro Micah Parsons as well as Devonte Wyatt.

In Miami, Hafley will be tasked with taking over a franchise that owns the NFL’s longest active playoff victory drought at 25 seasons.

He takes over for Mike McDaniel, who was fired Jan. 8 after posting a 35-33 record in four seasons at the helm.

More change could be ahead for Miami, which could be splitting with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and wide receiver Tyreek Hill in the offseason. Tagovailoa was benched for the last three games of the season, and Hill is coming off a severe left knee injury suffered in September.

Packers coach Matt LaFleur said earlier in the month that the team had been preparing to replace Hafley, who had become a hotly pursued candidate on the open market.