Kevin Coyle Fired by Dolphins: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction

The Miami Dolphins are making more changes to their coaching staff, firing defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle with the team on a bye this week.

NFL Network's Albert Breer reported Coyle's firing, and Miami announced the move later in the day.

Pro Football Talk reported the Dolphins will promote defensive backs coach Lou Anarumo to defensive coordinator.

Coyle's dismissal comes three days after Dolphins owner Stephen Ross released a statement, via Alain Poupart of Dolphins.com, announcing the firing of head coach Joe Philbin.

The Miami Herald's Adam Beasley noted interim head coach Dan Campbell was left with little choice in deciding not to keep Coyle on the coaching staff:

The Dolphins are off to a 1-3 start, with turmoil apparently engulfing the locker room. Entering Week 4, reports started to surface regarding tension relating to the team's defensive approach.

"Players had a very frank and contentious closed-door meeting with Coyle this week, sources say, and they attempted to clear the air," NFL Media's Ian Rapoport wrote. "The message was his schemes were too complex and constricting, and that they didn't put the players in position to make plays."

Although Miami emerged with a 17-10 season-opening win over the Washington Redskins, the Dolphins defense proceeded to flounder in each of the next three games—losses to the Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills and New York Jets (in London).

Following Miami's Week 4 loss to the Jets on international soil, the team occupied lowly or merely average rankings across the board. The Dolphins ranked 30th in total yards allowed per game (399.5), 15th in passing yards allowed (239.0 per game) and 32nd in opponents' average rushing yards (160.5).

The Dolphins defense certainly isn't devoid of talent, but Coyle's scheme evidently didn't maximize his players' skill sets.

Miami brought in defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh on a six-year, $114 million deal with $60 million guaranteed that made him the NFL's highest-paid defensive player. Beyond Suh, the Dolphins also boast pass-rusher Cameron Wake and a solid duo of corners in Brent Grimes and free-agent signee Brice McCain.

The potential exists for the Dolphins defense to thrive given the monetary resources the front office has invested in the unit, but simplification may do wonders for a crew that's still attempting to mesh. A year after ranking 12th in net yards allowed, Miami should have the ability to rebound with a new face leading the defense.