The Miami Dolphins enter their fourth day of officially searching for a new head coach, a day in which they will complete the interview of a fifth candidate. The team has already completed interviews with former NFL head coaches Mike Smith and Mike Shanahan, as well as Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. On Wednesday, the list of interviews completed added Buffalo Bills assistant head coach Anthony Lynn.
Thursday, the team is scheduled to interview Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Adam Gase. There are reports that the Dolphins could make a strong push to land Gase, trying to prevent him from going back to have a second head coaching interview with the Philadelphia Eagles. Making a move that aggressive could be what is needed if the Dolphins believe Gase, who is seen as the top coordinator who should become a head coach this offseason, is the right man for the job. It does, however, seem to contradict the methodical way they have been conducting their search so far.
The team has also promised that interim head coach Dan Campbell will get an interview during this process, allowing him time to do the leg work of trying to put together a staff and a plan for how he will move the franchise ahead. Campbell is scheduled to meet with the coaching search committee on Friday, so a move to hire Gase before that interview would seem to go back on owner Stephen Ross's word.
Following Campbell, the team also has Hue Jackson scheduled to conduct an interview, his taking place on Sunday following the Cincinnati Bengals' Playoff game on Saturday. They are also expected to interview Jacksonville Jaguars assistant head coach and former Buffalo Bills head coach Doug Marrone at some point this week.
Miami has requested interviews with New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, though no official scheduled meeting has leaked.
The Dolphins are also reported to have requested an interview with Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter. There is speculation that concern in the Buccaneers office that Miami could hire Koetter away from them is part of - or potentially all of - why the Buccaneers fired head coach Lovie Smith Wednesday night. There is plenty of speculation about exactly what Tampa Bay will do, including the team wanting to go after former Eagles head coach Chip Kelly, but it seems the common expectation is, as soon as the team meets the Rooney Rule requirement to interview a minority coach, the team will hire Koetter. If they do not, Miami could still look to add him to the interview schedule.
One thing of note in the Miami coaching search is the lack of college coaches being interviewed. As Simon Clancy, Deputy editor of BBC Radio 5 Live Sport and Sports Illustrated contributor, and our own Matthew Cannata discussed yesterday, the Dolphins could very easily be including college coaches in the interview process, but are not releasing names because of any potential recruiting impact it could have if the coach is not hired.
The full rundown of where we stand for the Dolphins coaching search is:
Interviews Complete
Mike Smith
Mike Shanahan
Teryl Austin
Anthony Lynn
Interviews Scheduled
Adam Gase (1/7/16)
Dan Campbell (1/8/16)
Hue Jackson (1/10/16)
Interviews Requested
Josh McDaniels
Matt Patricia
Dirk Koetter