The Miami Dolphins have officially completed interviews with three candidates for the team's empty head coaching position. After meeting with Mike Smith, former Atlanta Falcons coach on Monday, the team sat down with former Oakland Raiders/Denver Broncos/Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan on Tuesday, as well as with Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. Both interviews were expected to happen, and the team confirmed them after they were complete.
The Dolphins are said to have genuine interest in every candidate they are interviewing, with no interview scheduled just so the team can meet the "Rooney Rule." Under that rule, the NFL requires every team to interview at least one minority candidate for any head coach or general manager vacancy. Austin is African-American, so the Dolphins have now met that rule.
The Dolphins are conducting a wide search for their next head coach, with the team having expressed interest with at least 10 candidates just three days into the official search. Some of those candidates, like Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Hue Jackson, are currently in the Playoffs, so the search could have to wait until either the Bengals are knocked out of the postseason tournament or the bye week before the Super Bowl (the Bengals can allow the interview if they win this weekend, but it is their choice).
Miami is scheduled to meet with Buffalo Bills assistant head coach Anthony Lynn on Wednesday, with Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Adam Gase on Thursday and Dolphins interim head coach Dan Campbell on Friday.
The Dolphins confirm interviews after they are completed, so there could be other scheduled meetings that have not leaked yet.