The Miami Dolphins spent four years with Anthony Campanile on their staff. He was first hired to be the team’s linebackers coach by Brian Flores and was retained by the Dolphins after Mike McDaniel took over as head coach.

While Miami waved Campanile goodbye in 2024 when he left to join the Green Bay Packers‘ staff, the Dolphins interviewed him for their head coaching vacancy Friday.

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Is it too soon for a coach with just one year of NFL defensive coordinator work under his belt? Campanile impressed in that first season, leading a Jaguars defense that made huge improvements from the year prior. Jacksonville’s defense jumped from No. 31 in 2024 to No. 11 under Campanile, and finished with the second most takeaways.

Is he ready to take the reins in Miami?

Background

College: Rutgers University

Experience

Defensive coordinator, Jacksonville Jaguars (2025-present)

Linebackers coach/run game coordinator, Green Bay Packers (2024)

Co-defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach, Boston College Eagles (2018)

Defensive backs coach, Boston College Eagles (2016-2017)

Tight ends coach, Rutgers Scarlet Knights (2013-2014)

Defensive assistant, Rutgers Scarlet Knights (2012-2013)

Offensive coordinator, Don Bosco Prep (NJ) Ironmen (2010-2011)

Defensive coordinator, Don Bosco Prep (NJ) Ironmen (2007-2009)

Linebackers coach, Fair Lawn (NJ) Cutters (2006)

Campanile’s fiery personality made him a hit during the Dolphins’ appearance on HBO’s Hard Knocks.

It has also made him a popular figure in Jacksonville where the Jaguars’ emphasis on takeaways played a huge role in the team’s one-year turnaround. That can be difficult to sustain, though.

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The Jaguars jumped out to a 4-1 start this year after forcing 14 turnovers through the first five weeks. But when their Week 6 and 7 opponents avoided any turnovers, Jacksonville lost back-to-back games.

Perhaps another year of Campanile working as a defensive coordinator will do more to reveal whether or not his work was a flash in the pan.

Still, his personality is gravitational and made him a popular figure at each of his NFL stops. During his one-year stop with the Packers as run game coordinator, Green Bay was one of only three teams that held opponents under four yards per carry.

The most important thing for the Dolphins moving forward is a culture reset with toughness and resolve at the forefront. Campanile appears to be a candidate who could fill that void.

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They said it…

“If you can stand being blocked, you’re going to get blocked. We have guys who believe in not being blocked. We have guys who run to the ball. We have guys who violently finish at the point of attack. That’s what’s going to be valued here.” – Anthony Campanile (via Jaguars.com)

Bottom line

Campanile’s minimal experience leading more than just a linebackers room makes him a risky roll of the dice. Maybe he has the big personality of a coach capable of taking the reins of a 53-man roster and leading it to success. Maybe that’s a lot to expect of a coach with only one year of defensive coordinator duties.

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If the Dolphins hired Campanile, they’d be hoping for a Dan Campbell-esque rewrite of the team’s culture. Given how far the team is from having the roster of a contender, they could do a lot worse than that swing from the fences.

This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: Dolphins HC candidate profile: Will Miami bring Anthony Campanile back?