With the Miami Dolphins’ 2026 season fast approaching, the South Florida Sun Sentinel ends its look at the top 10 storylines to watch ahead of the start of training camp on Wednesday. 

For the eighth consecutive time, the Dolphins opted for a first-time NFL head coach. This hiring cycle resulted in Jeff Hafley, the former Boston College coach who served as Green Bay’s defensive coordinator the previous two seasons. 

But should the Dolphins have strayed from habit and hired a veteran NFL head coach?

Sean McDermott, the former Buffalo coach, was available briefly. He amassed a 98-50 record in nine seasons (2017-25), winning five AFC East titles and making two AFC Championship appearances.

McDermott was fired on Jan. 19 around 9:40 a.m. ET; Hafley was hired on Jan. 19 around 5 p.m. ET.

This isn’t intended to be disrespectful to Hafley.

It’s a question worth asking because the Dolphins’ recent history with first-time NFL head coaches has been disappointing. And that’s being kind.

It should also be pointed out that the Dolphins had options aside from McDermott when it came to hiring someone with previous NFL head coaching experience.

They interviewed new Atlanta coach Kevin Stefanski, who coached Cleveland (2020-26) and had a 45-56 record, and new Tennessee coach Robert Saleh, who coached the New York Jets (2021-24) and had a 20-36 record. Admittedly, neither, is an especially attractive option.

Before going further, let’s admit the obvious, which is that as soon as the Dolphins hired general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan was hired on Jan. 9, there was a very high likelihood that Hafley, Sullivan’s colleague in Green Bay, and a finalist for the Tennessee job, would be hired as the Dolphins coach.

Sullivan and Hafley frequently talked about various football topics during their two years together with the Packers. Sullivan, during the February introductory news conference for both, said Hafley wasn’t gifted this job.

“This process was thorough,” Sullivan said. “We spoke with a lot of very, very talented coaches who brought a lot to the table, and it was a great process because in speaking with all of them, it just confirmed my conviction on that this was the right guy. I got to watch him work for two years. Jeff is a friend of mine; we’ve become friendly over the last two years, but understand this hire was based on professional respect.”

Still, Hafley is a first-time head coach and the Dolphins haven’t had much luck in that area recently.

Here’s the list of recent the Dolphins’ first-time head coaches (with years served and final records):

— Mike McDaniel (2022-25; 35-33 record including playoffs);

— Brian Flores (2019-21; 24-25 record);

— Adam Gase (2016-18; 23-25);

— Joe Philbin (2012-15; 24-28);

— Tony Sparano (2008-11; 29-32);

— Cam Cameron (2007; 1-15);

— Nick Saban (2005-06; 15-17).

The last time the Dolphins hired a coach with previous NFL head coaching experience was Dave Wannstedt (2000-04; 42-31), the former Chicago Bears coach (1993-98). Perhaps it’s no coincidence Wannstedt is the last Dolphins coach to win a playoff game (2000).

As for McDermott, he apparently hit a ceiling with Buffalo, which is the major reason he was fired. He never led the Bills to a Super Bowl despite having the prime years of star quarterback Josh Allen and a relatively talent-rich roster.

On the other hand, Buffalo only had one winning season in the previous dozen years before McDermott was hired, so he oversaw a massive turnaround/rebuild, something that should have appealed to the Dolphins. 

Further, McDermott had to battle New England, which featured quarterback Tim Brady and coach Bill Belichick for AFC East supremacy, and then he had to battle Kansas City, which featured quarterback Patrick Mahomes and coach Andy Reid for AFC supremacy.

In other words, McDermott waited behind one of the NFL’s all-time great duos and then had to battle another of the NFL’s all-time great duos. It’s hard to blame him for losing to Kansas City twice in the AFC Championship game.

But it’s a results-based business and McDermott didn’t get the job done. 

So you can’t blame the Dolphins for not being enamored.

Still, you wonder if such a resume was at least worth an interview for the Dolphins, who went 2-7 against McDermott’s Buffalo teams, including a 34-31 playoff loss in 2022.

Plus, McDermott helped develop Allen, the one-time MVP who might be headed for the Hall of Fame. And he made the Bills a perennial AFC favorite.

Regardless, the Dolphins decided McDermott wasn’t worth an interview and once again went to their trend of hiring someone without previous NFL head coach experience.

Perhaps it works this time.

Previously addressed

With Hill, Waddle gone, who will step up among Dolphins’ pass-catchers?

What to expect from Dolphins’ offense this season under Bobby Slowik

How does rookie CB Chris Johnson fit in the secondary?

Dolphins shouldn’t obsess about win-loss record in 2026

What will the impact of offseason movement on Dolphins’ O-line be?

Here’s what Dolphins fans can expect from Jeff Hafley’s defense

Will evaluating Dolphins QB Malik Willis be a challenge given this roster?

Will Dolphins’ top draft picks of recent years excel in 2026?

What are realistic expectations for Dolphins in first year under Sullivan, Hafley?