Former SRU assistant football coach Al Washington joins Miami Dolphins’ staff – Butler Eagle

Former Slippery Rock University defensive line coach Al Washington, seen here coaching against Ohio State in the College Football Playoff national championship game for Notre Dame, has joined Jeff Hafley with the Miami Dolphins. Submitted photo

Al Washington, who served as Slippery Rock University’s defensive line coach from 2009-10 and was most recently an assistant at Notre Dame, has joined new head coach Jeff Hafley’s staff with the Miami Dolphins.

Washington will serve as a linebackers coach in his first NFL gig.

Washington worked with Hafley while the two were at Ohio State, Washington as a linebackers coach (2019-21) and Hafley as a co-defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach (2019).

Washington watched two seasons ago as Shawn Lutz’ Slippery Rock team faced off against Ferris State in the NCAA Division II national semifinal. Washington also kept an Rock helmet in his basement.

“I learned a lot, I think, just dealing with people and coaching from the heart,” Washington said about his time with The Rock after coaching in last year’s College Football Playoff national championship game.

After coaching at Slippery Rock, Washington also served as an assistant at Elon (2011), Boston College (2012-16), Cincinnati (2017) and Michigan (2018). He’d been at Notre Dame since 2022.