The Miami Dolphins are in danger of missing out on the playoffs this season thanks to another late season collapse, and this one might cost head coach Joe Philbin his job. There are rumblings that Miami will do just that, and if the Dolphins do end up looking for a new head coach, who are the top candidates to replace Philbin?
10) Jim Harbaugh, Head Coach, San Francisco 49ers
Miami has said that they are not going to be part of the Jim Harbaugh sweepstakes this offseason, but they'd be crazy not to at least entertain the idea if Harbaugh does become available. Dolphins owner Stephen Ross is one of Michigan's biggest boosters, and he has said he'd rather have Harbaugh coaching the Wolverines - where Harbaugh played quarterback in the mid-1980's - over the Dolphins. But if Michigan hires someone else, Harbaugh could become a real possibility.
9) Bill Cowher, former NFL Head Coach
Cowher hasn’t coached in the league since 2006, but has stayed in the game as an analyst for CBS. He’s won a Super Bowl and would immediately command respect from everyone in the locker room. Cowher has said he would come back to coaching if the right situation presented itself, and the Dolphins have playoff talent.
8 ) Tony Dungy, former Bucs/Colts head coach
If the Dolphins front office can coax Tony Dungy out of retirement, they’ll be rewarded with a Super Bowl-winning head coach who is 139-69 over 13 regular seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Indianapolis Colts. Dungy has been off the sidelines since 2008, but a "retirement job" in Miami with a playoff-caliber roster could very well be intriguing to the current NFL analyst.
7) Jay Gruden, Head Coach, Washington Redskins
It's unclear whether Gruden will be returning to Washington next season - or if he even wants to. Gruden was one of the hot commodities in the coaching world last year, and has been swallowed up in the entire Washington Redskins/Robert Griffin III dumpster fire. That's no fault of his, and he can still coach. Miami could be the team willing to give him another look.
6) Josh McDaniels, Offensive Coordinator, New England Patriots
McDaniels seems to have totally rebuilt his reputation while leading the Patriots' offense for the past three seasons after serving as the head coach in Denver. He doesn't have any connection to the Dolphins, but he does have a strong desire to become a head coach. Miami has a playoff-caliber roster already assembled, which would be very appealing to McDaniels.
5) Pep Hamilton, Indianapolis Colts Offensive Coordinator
Hamilton followed Andrew Luck from Stanford to Indianapolis, and he’s led outstanding offenses at each stop. He’s going to be a hot candidate for every opening across the league, but Miami doesn't offer a lot of star power on offense. However, his scheme is very similar to what the Dolphins are running right now, so the transition for the players wouldn't be too extreme.
4) Adam Gase, Denver Broncos Offensive Coordinator
Philbin was Aaron Rodgers' offensive coordinator in Green Bay before to Miami, so why not hire Peyton Manning's coordinator? Gase is only in his second season in Denver, but he’s already guided the best offense in league history. He’s proven he can handle star players and their egos, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. Gase will be the most sought-after candidate, and Miami could be one of the best jobs available this offseason.
3) Darrell Bevell, Seattle Seahawks Offensive Coordinator
Bevell worked with Brett Favre and Adrian Peterson in Minnesota before moving to Seattle in 2011, where he’s helped develop Russell Wilson and built a dominant running game. He has a Super Bowl pedigree and would bring new life to a team that seems to have forgotten how to win big games.
2) Todd Bowles, Arizona Cardinals Defensive Coordinator
Bowles has quietly led and constructed one of the league’s best defenses in Arizona, and they haven’t missed a beat despite having several starters hurt this season. He served as the defensive backs coach for the Dolphins from 2008-2011, was the interim head coach for the Miami Dolphins in 2011 after the team fired Tony Sparano. He's one of the rising stars in the NFL coaching world, and the Dolphins would be smart to bring him back to Miami.
1) Dan Quinn, Seattle Seahawks Defensive Coordinator
Quinn was a former assistant coach for the Dolphins under Nick Saban, and has led a dominant Seattle defense since taking over for current Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley. He’s helped develop Seattle’s defensive stars and his gameplans have confused the best quarterbacks in the league – a must-have when facing Tom Brady twice a year. Quinn will also bring a winners mentality from Seattle, something this team needs to get them over the top.
Who do you think should get the job if Joe Philbin gets fired? Leave a response in the comments!
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