The Miami Dolphins have a unique opportunity to bolster their coaching staff, and it all starts with a phone call from Mike McDaniel to recently fired New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh. With the Dolphins on their bye week, the timing couldn’t be better. Saleh’s departure from the Jets was largely expected, as he struggled to lead the team to victory despite having a talented roster.
However, what many fans may not know is that Saleh’s true strength lies in building dominant defenses. During his time as the San Francisco 49ers’ defensive coordinator from 2017 to 2020, he helped craft one of the league’s top defensive units. His expertise would be a valuable asset to the Dolphins, who are already seeing improvement under defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver.
While Weaver has done an admirable job, adding Saleh to the mix would bring an extra layer of depth and experience to the team’s defensive coaching staff. Moreover, Saleh’s close friendship with McDaniel, forged during their time together in San Francisco, makes this a natural fit.
So, where would Saleh fit in? The answer lies in special teams. Danny Crossman, the current special teams coach, has underwhelmed, and his retention after Brian Flores’ departure was a puzzling move. Saleh may not have direct experience coaching special teams, but his defensive prowess and leadership skills would undoubtedly bring a much-needed spark to this crucial aspect of the game.
In fact, McDaniel had originally wanted Saleh as his defensive coordinator before hiring Weaver. Now, he has a chance to bring Saleh on board in a different capacity. This move would not only strengthen the Dolphins’ coaching staff but also give them an edge over their divisional rivals, the Jets, whom they face twice later this season.
By hiring Saleh as their special teams coach, the Dolphins would be making a shrewd move that could pay dividends for years to come. It’s time for McDaniel to make the call and bring Saleh to South Florida, giving the team an injection of fresh ideas and expertise. The question is, will he seize this opportunity and take the Dolphins to the next level? Only time will tell!