Fins Lose Defensive Coordinator To Falcons
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The Miami Dolphins were already in need of a head coach, and now the Fins also need to find a new defensive coordinator.
According to FoxSports' Jay Glazer, the Atlanta Falcons have hired former Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Mike Nolan as the team's new defensive coordinator.
"Atlanta have themselves a great guy and a hell of a defensive coordinator," said Dolphins defensive end Kendall Langford.
Nolan's defense in Miami was the most solid part of the team week in and week out. In 2011, Nolan's defense with the Dolphins was ranked sixth in scoring and 15th in yards allowed.
"Mike Nolan is an established coordinator in this league," said Falcons head coach Mike Smith. "He brings more than 25 years of NFL experience to our team and has been a coordinator at this level for 14 years. Mike has a history of developing physically intimidating defensive units, and we are fortunate to have him join our staff."
Nolan is a former head coach with the San Francisco 49ers and a former defensive coordinator with the Baltimore Ravens, Washington Redskins, and the New York Giants.
Despite previous head coaching experience, and a good reputation around the league, Nolan was never considered for the Dolphins head coaching job.
With his exit, the next head coach of the Dolphins will have to hire a completely new staff if offensive coordinator Brian Daboll is not retained.
The Dolphins have run a 3-4 defense with good results for the last few years.
Of the defensive coaches who could possibly take over as head coach, Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano has run the 3-4 defense with a lot of success this season.
But, the Dolphins appear to be leaning towards elevating an offensive coordinator to head coach rather than a defensive coach.
