For all we know, a new head coach is going to go scorched earth on the current collection of assistant coaches assembled in South Florida for the Miami Dolphins. It wouldn’t be the first time. But even the thorniest of rose bushes still has some roses on them — and I wouldn’t consider the Dolphins’ coaching staff anywhere close to the thorniest of bushes. Miami has several talented assistant coaches on their staff.
It’s not the first time things didn’t work out for a staff that had talent in South Florida. Remember Joe Philbin’s 2015 season? Philbin was fired just four games in with a staff that included future NFL head coaches Dan Campbell, Zac Taylor, and Ben Johnson on staff plus future defensive coordinators Terrell Williams and Lou Anarumo. This year’s staff probably doesn’t have that much future leadership on it. But it has several coaches I’m hoping the next head coach will find room for on his staff. Here are four assistant coaches I’m hopeful to see back in Miami under a new regime in 2026.
Four assistant coaches who should survive the Miami Dolphins’ coaching staff purge and stay in 2026
Dec 7, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Miami Dolphins cornerback Rasul Douglas (26) reacts after breaking up a pass against the New York Jets during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images
(Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images)
Araujo interviewed for the New York Jets‘ vacancy at defensive coordinator on Friday. He’s a young coach who has quickly worked his way up the coaching ranks after stops at Boston College & Yale in the college ranks. No position coach had a tougher assignment in 2025 than Araujo’s haphazardly assembled cornerback room — which was in flux with injuries all summer. By the end of the season, veteran cornerbacks Jack Jones and Rasul Douglas had settled into starting roles fairly well.
Araujo is a promising young standout coach and his interview in New York is reflective of that growing reputation.
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Jul 29, 2025; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Zeek Biggers (93), defensive tackle Matthew Butler (91), and defensive tackle Kenneth Grant (90) hydrate during training camp at Baptist Health Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Defensive line coach Austin Clark
No assistant on the staff has built up better sweat equity with their ability to pull the best out of players than Clark. Clark took over as the defensive line coach in Brian Flores’ final season in Miami and helped to develop both Zach Sieler and Christian Wilkins as standout stars. In 2024, he got a career-best year out of Da’Shawn Hand. His unit was a part of a franchise-record sack effort in 2023 under the direction of Vic Fangio as well.
Clark had an ambitious ask of his own in 2025 — molding a trio of rookie defensive tackles. Kenneth Grant, Jordan Phillips, and Zeek Biggers combined for 1,233 defensive snaps on the season. Grant, quietly, finished second in pressures (29) and third in run stops (20) among rookie defensive tackles this season. Clark’s five-year body of work speaks for itself.
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Miami Dolphins place kicker Jason Sanders (7) kicks a field goal as punter Jake Bailey (16) holds during the first quarter against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium.© Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(© Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images)Special teams coordinator Craig Aukerman
This one may be unpopular, as a kickoff return for a touchdown in Week 2 helped Miami lose a winnable game against the Patriots, while a mishandled onside kick against the Saints almost cost them another one. But the Dolphins’ special teams unit was a breath of fresh air versus their performance under former ST Coordinator Danny Crossman. The special teams units combined to rank 10th in the NFL in Expected Points Added (EPA) on special teams — their best performance in the third phase of the game since 2020.
Specialists Joe Cardona, Jake Bailey, and last minute signing Riley Patterson at kicker were all reliable.
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Oct 26, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Patrick Paul (52) and guard Aaron Brewer (55) celebrate after a victory over the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Brett Davis-Imagn Images
(Brett Davis-Imagn Images)Offensive line coach Butch Barry
Butch Barry has been around the block a bit. He’s been with Miami since 2023. Before that he was in Denver with the Broncos. Stints with the San Francisco 49ers, Green Bay Packers, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers before that. He’s got good experience. And he’s got good rapport with a couple of players who have shown great growth under his watch. Right tackle Austin Jackson was a mess. 2023 gave him a career year and stabilized his play, injuries aside. Center Aaron Brewer came to Miami in 2024 via free agency and was named Second Team All-Pro in 2025. He’s been sensational. And second-year tackle Patrick Paul went from a raw but talented rookie to a reliable starter in his first season replacing Terron Armstead.
One would have to imagine the overlap with Jon-Eric Sullivan in Green Bay (2020) doesn’t hurt his case to be back if the right coach and system come into play.
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Notable departures from the Miami Dolphins
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This story was originally published by A to Z Sports on Jan 17, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add A to Z Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.