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Dolphins DC Anthony Weaver is listed as top head coaching candidate
The Miami Dolphins have turned their season around after a slow start for the second consecutive year. One of the biggest reasons is the improvement that has occurred in the Dolphins defense. Perhaps this is why Sports Illustrated writer Connor Orr has named defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver as one of the top head coaching candidates around the league.
Regarding Weaver, Orr said “(Weaver) is a former assistant head coach of the Ravens and has been a popular name in searches over the past two years especially.”
The Miami Dolphins Defense
GettyDolphins defense
The Dolphins currently rank 15th in the NFL in points per game allowed, as they have averaged 22.8 in 13 games. However, opposing front offices may be taking into consideration the improvement the team has shown. Through the first seven weeks, the Dolphins ranked 29th with 29.3 points per game allowed. Since then, Miami has allowed 17 or fewer points in five out of their last six games.
Last year, Anthony Weaver’s defense ranked ninth in points per game allowed. Despite the Dolphins’ losing record, that statistic, alongside his reputation in the league, resulted in him getting two head coaching interviews. Ultimately, teams chose different candidates, but the fact he was brought in for interviews makes it seem like he’s a name that’s viewed as a future head coach. The Athletic’s Dianna Russini had also mentioned Weaver as a name that could potentially garner interest as a head coach.
Expect these names to garner interest in this upcoming coaching cycle:
Chiefs OC Matt Nagy
49ers DC Robert Saleh
Broncos DC Vance Joseph
Dolphins DC Anthony Weaver
Packers DC Jeff Hafley
Rams DC Chris Shula
Bills OC Joe Brady
More candidates: t.co/lM3jTVRCTH
For Miami, Weaver staying this year marked the first time since 2022 they had kept their defensive coordinator. He became the first defensive coordinator to serve multiple years under head coach Mike McDaniel.
Weaver’s Future in Miami
Even if Anthony Weaver does not land a head coaching job this upcoming offseason, his job with the Dolphins is not a guarantee. That does not mean he hasn’t earned it, but if the Dolphins decide to move on from Mike McDaniel, it would likely result in Anthony Weaver departing the organization as well.
It’s not often the case that a team fires its head coach and then the new head coach sticks with the previous defensive coordinator. However, we have seen it happen recently with the Dolphins, as they retained defensive coordinator Josh Boyer following the dismissal of Brian Flores. Ultimately, the team ended regretting that decision as they let go of Josh Boyer following the year.
Despite being a popular head coaching candidate, Weaver is not likely to be considered for the job in Miami. When the Dolphins fired general manager Chris Grier, they could have opted to remove McDaniel and have Weaver try to audition for the job with half the season to go, but the team opted to stick with McDaniel and let him try and save his job.
If Weaver does land a head coaching job elsewhere, the Dolphins would receive a third-round pick each of the next two drafts. This comes after a rule change in 2020 to benefit teams that lose minority coaches to other organizations.
Jose Esquer Jose Esquer is a Mexican-American sportswriter and communications student based in San Diego, CA. His work spans football, basketball, baseball, and soccer. He has written for platforms like RotoWire and DolphinsTalk. You can find him on Twitter/X @JoeE316, usually talking Dolphins, world football, or both. More about Jose Esquer
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