Miami Dolphins Coaching Staff Profile

     When Bill Parcells left Dallas to join the Dolphins he brought many of his advisers, coaches and players to completely overhaul an organization that had hit rock bottom.

     Miami needed a new head coach and a new attitude.  Parcells hired Tony Sparano, his former offensive-line coach at Dallas.  Sparano used a tough and honest approach to gain the respect of his players.  He made it understood that after a 1-15 season no roster spot was guaranteed every spot would have to be earned.

     He led the Dolphins to a division title while introducing the “Wildcat” formation to the NFL and he did it with the help of a well structured coaching staff.  Offensive coordinator Dan Henning was hired to improve the running game and turn around a morbid offense. 

     During his previous job he turned a 1-15 Carolina team into NFC champions within two years.  The Dolphins' turn around came much quicker because of the effectiveness of the “Wildcat” formation.  This formation was invented at the University of Arkansas by former coach Houston Nutt and current Dolphin’s quarterback coach David Lee.

     Lee and Henning teamed up to make the “Wildcat” work at the pro level and it quickly became the most successful formation in the play book.  Towards the end of the year running back Ronnie Brown’s limited passing ability weakened its effectiveness so the evolution of the “Wildcat” will be important. 

     The Dolphins drafted Pat White a duel-threat quarterback who could flourish in the new system.  Most importantly he will make defenses respect the pass, it’s up to Henning and Lee to figure out the best was to utilize him.      

     The defense slowly improved under coordinator Paul Pasqualoni.  The former Cowboys linebacker coach followed Parcells to Miami and took over a horrible defense.  Outside linebacker Joey Porter returned to prominence with 17.5 sacks and Matt Roth’s switch to strong-side linebacker was very successful because of Pasqualoni’s tutelage. 

     The defensive backfield was overhauled during the off season and assistant head coach/secondary coach Todd Bowles will reorganize a unit that ranked 25th in the NFL against the pass.  The biggest weakness of the defense was exposed by Matt Cassel in week 12 when he racked up 415 passing yards. 

     Last year his work with Will Allen and Andre’ Goodman helped both players enjoy their best statistical season in years.  Now he must replace Goodman and his team leading five interceptions.  The Dolphins brought in free-agent Eric Green and rookies Vonte Davis and Sean Smith to improve their depth.

     The development of the rookies will be crucial to Miami’s future but Bowles has a good track record.  In Dallas he worked with pro-bowl defensive backs Terence Newman and Roy Williams.  In 2004 he coached a Cleveland secondary that ranked fifth in the NFL. 

     He spent some time in the off season interviewing for the vacant head coaching jobs in Detroit and Denver.  If he can turn around Miami’s defensive secondary he will be a very strong head-coaching candidate in 2010.