Packers Coach Listed to Replace Mike McDaniel After Dolphins’ Latest Meltdown

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Packers top assistant coach Jeff Hafley is set to be prime candidate for Dolphins job.

The Miami Dolphins are once again coming off another ugly loss — this time to the Los Angeles Chargers, 29-27. After taking the lead with under a minute remaining, Miami allowed the Chargers to drive down the field for a game-winning field goal, falling to 1-5 on the season.

Now, Mike McDaniel’s job is in serious jeopardy, and a Green Bay Packers assistant is being linked as a potential replacement.

That assistant is none other than defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, who joined the organization in 2024. According to The Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer, Hafley’s name could soon rise to the top of multiple coaching lists — including Miami’s.

“Hafley will be on a lot of coach-needy teams’ lists with his work to develop the Green Bay defense into dominance the past two years, with Micah Parsons serving as the cherry on top this season,” Iyer wrote. “He also has the strong head coaching experience of leading Boston College for four seasons before his NFL stint. He would be a good pivot from McDaniel to get the defense back on track while the offense goes through a big transition.”

The Dolphins currently rank 29th in total defense, last in rushing defense, and 27th in scoring defense, allowing 29 points per game. In comparison, the Packers are fourth in total defense, second against the run, and tied for 11th in scoring, giving up just 21 points per game.

Jeff Hafley Would Have a Lot to Fix With the Dolphins

The Dolphins’ problems go beyond defense — and Hafley would have plenty to clean up if he takes over. McDaniel’s biggest failure might be the locker room itself, where players reportedly no longer respect his leadership.

“Mike McDaniel needs to go. The coach of the Miami Dolphins needs to go,” Stephen A. Smith said on the October 13 episode of ESPN’s First Take. “He’s not a leader of men, that’s what this comes down to.”

“Mike McDaniel needs to go. … He’s not a leader of men.”

—@stephenasmith on the Dolphins

Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa even hinted at dysfunction within the locker room and its leadership during his postgame interview after the loss to the Chargers.

“I think it starts with the leadership in helping articulate that for guys and then what we’re expecting out of guys,” Tagovailoa said. “We have guys showing up to players-only meetings late, guys not showing up to players-only meetings. There’s a lot that goes into that. Do we make this mandatory? Do we not have to make this mandatory? It’s a lot of things of that nature that we’ve got to get cleaned up, and it starts with little things like that.”

Jeff Hafley Said to Be Hot Coaching Candidate

The Packers are sitting at 3-1-1, thanks largely to Hafley’s defense, which has allowed more than 18 points just once this season. While his NFL success stands out, his previous head coaching experience at Boston College could make him an even stronger candidate for a top job.

“The former Boston College head coach and current Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator can step into any job interview with an intriguing résumé,” NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks wrote. “Having run a well-respected program in a Power Four conference for four years, Hafley understands the demands of being the head honcho. The defensive-minded coach has delicately balanced operating as a CEO while also crafting schematic solutions to stifle a wide array of offensive attacks at the collegiate level.”

If Hafley does indeed find his next head coaching gig next fall, the Packers will hope they got the best of him before he leaves — ideally ending his tenure with a Super Bowl run.

Shane Shoemaker Shane Shoemaker is a sports journalist covering college football and the NFL for Heavy.com. His work has also appeared in The Sporting News, Athlon Sports, USA TODAY, and ClutchPoints, along with high school sports coverage for the Marion Tribune. More about Shane Shoemaker