How Miami Dolphins’ Coaching Staff Stacks Up in the NFL

In the NFL, a team’s success often hinges as much on its coaching staff as its roster—playcalling acumen, player development, and in-game adjustments can turn a talented group into contenders or derail a season of promise. For the Miami Dolphins, the 2024 coaching staff represents a blend of veteran experience and innovative young minds, tasked with building on the team’s recent playoff appearances and closing the gap on AFC powerhouses like the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens. But how does this group compare to the league’s best? How Miami Dolphins’ Coaching Staff Stacks Up in the NFL explores the strengths, weaknesses, and unique traits of the Dolphins’ coaches, from head coach Mike McDaniel to his coordinators and position coaches, evaluating where they stand among their peers and what they need to do to elevate the franchise to a Super Bowl level. By examining their tactical approaches, player development track records, and ability to adapt to the NFL’s ever-changing landscape, we can gain a clear picture of the Dolphins’ coaching hierarchy in the modern league.

At the top of the Dolphins’ coaching pyramid is Mike McDaniel, a third-year head coach whose innovative offensive mind has already left a mark on the franchise—and whose style sets him apart from many of his NFL peers. How Miami Dolphins’ Coaching Staff Stacks Up in the NFL must begin with McDaniel, as his leadership defines the staff’s identity. Unlike traditional head coaches who come from defensive or quarterback backgrounds, McDaniel cut his teeth as an offensive assistant, working with Sean McVay in Los Angeles and Kyle Shanahan in San Francisco, where he honed a “speed and space” offensive philosophy that prioritizes mismatches and quick decision-making. In his first two seasons in Miami, McDaniel transformed the Dolphins into one of the league’s top-scoring offenses, with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa thriving in his system (recording 8,900 passing yards and 65 touchdowns since 2022). What makes McDaniel stand out is his ability to balance innovation with adaptability—he doesn’t force a rigid scheme but tailors plays to his players’ strengths, such as designing quick passes to leverage Tyreek Hill’s speed. However, McDaniel’s inexperience as a head coach (he’s one of 10 NFL head coaches with fewer than five years in the role) shows in occasional in-game missteps, like clock management issues in a 2023 loss to the Bills. When stacked against elite head coaches like Andy Reid (Chiefs) or John Harbaugh (Ravens), McDaniel lacks their championship pedigree—but his upward trajectory suggests he could join that tier with more playoff success.

A critical component of the Dolphins’ coaching staff is their offensive coordinator, Frank Smith, whose work alongside McDaniel has turned Miami’s offense into a consistent threat—and whose attention to detail ranks among the league’s best. How Miami Dolphins’ Coaching Staff Stacks Up in the NFL wouldn’t be complete without highlighting Smith, a 15-year NFL veteran who joined the Dolphins in 2022 after stints with the Raiders and Saints. While McDaniel sets the offensive vision, Smith handles the day-to-day playcalling during games and oversees the offensive line—a unit that has improved dramatically under his guidance. In 2023, the Dolphins’ offensive line allowed just 28 sacks (tied for 10th in the NFL), a significant improvement from 49 sacks in 2021 (28th in the league). Smith’s ability to develop young linemen, like 2023 draft pick Robert Hunt (who earned Pro Bowl honors in his second season), has been a key asset. When compared to top offensive coordinators like Eric Bieniemy (Commanders) or Kellen Moore (Chargers), Smith lacks the same national recognition—but his track record of maximizing talent (e.g., turning Raheem Mostert into a 1,000-yard rusher in 2022) speaks to his competence. The Dolphins’ offense ranks in the top 5 in yards per game (380.5) and points per game (28.3) in 2024, a testament to Smith’s role in executing McDaniel’s vision. For Miami, keeping Smith long-term will be crucial, as his stability complements McDaniel’s innovation.

On the defensive side, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio brings a wealth of experience that has turned the Dolphins’ defense from a liability into a strength—and his proven defensive scheming makes him one of the most valuable assistants in the NFL. How Miami Dolphins’ Coaching Staff Stacks Up in the NFL must emphasize Fangio’s impact, as he joined the Dolphins in 2024 after successful stints as a defensive coordinator with the Bears, Broncos, and Eagles, and a head coaching tenure with the Broncos. Fangio’s signature 3-4 defense prioritizes gap control and ballhawking, and in his first season in Miami, he’s already transformed the unit: the Dolphins rank 8th in total defense (310 yards per game) and 6th in takeaways (21) through 12 weeks of 2024. What sets Fangio apart is his ability to adapt his scheme to his personnel—he’s shifted to a 4-3 alignment on 30% of snaps to leverage the pass-rushing skills of Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb, who have combined for 18 sacks in 2024. When stacked against other top defensive coordinators like Todd Bowles (Buccaneers) or Steve Spagnuolo (Chiefs), Fangio’s resume holds its own—he’s coached 12 Pro Bowl defenders and two Defensive Players of the Year (Khalil Mack, Aaron Donald). For the Dolphins, Fangio’s presence bridges a critical gap: while McDaniel excels on offense, Fangio ensures the team isn’t one-dimensional, making them a more balanced contender than in recent years.

Another strength of the Dolphins’ coaching staff is their special teams coordinator, Danny Crossman, whose unit has gone from an afterthought to a game-changer—and whose consistency ranks among the league’s top 10 in 2024. How Miami Dolphins’ Coaching Staff Stacks Up in the NFL wouldn’t be complete without recognizing Crossman, who joined the Dolphins in 2023 after 11 seasons as a special teams coordinator with the Bills and Panthers. Crossman’s impact was immediate: in 2023, the Dolphins’ special teams unit ranked 6th in the NFL in the DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average) metric, up from 22nd in 2022. Key improvements include kicker Jason Sanders’ 92% field goal accuracy (tied for 4th in the league) and punt returner Jaylen Waddle’s 12.5 yards per return (3rd in the NFL). Crossman’s ability to develop young special teams players, like undrafted free agent long snapper Blake Ferguson (who has yet to miss a snap in two seasons), has been crucial. When compared to elite special teams coordinators like Dave Fipp (49ers) or Thomas McGaughey (Giants), Crossman’s unit is still ascending—but their consistency in 2024 (no missed extra points, one blocked kick) has made them a reliable asset. For the Dolphins, special teams often win close games, and Crossman’s work ensures they don’t give away points or field position—an underrated but vital part of competing in the AFC.

When evaluating the Dolphins’ coaching staff as a whole, their biggest advantage is their balance—offense, defense, and special teams all have competent leaders—and their biggest challenge is translating regular-season success to the playoffs. How Miami Dolphins’ Coaching Staff Stacks Up in the NFL ultimately comes down to this: they’re a top-10 staff in the NFL, but not yet elite. McDaniel’s innovation, Fangio’s defensive expertise, Smith’s offensive line development, and Crossman’s special teams consistency make them a formidable group—but they lack the playoff wins (just one since 2000) that define the league’s best staffs. When compared to the Chiefs (Reid + Bieniemy + Spagnuolo) or the 49ers (Shanahan + DeMeco Ryans + Fipp), the Dolphins’ staff has less championship experience—but they’re closing the gap. The key will be player development: if Fangio can turn young defenders like Cam Smith into Pro Bowlers, or Smith can keep the offensive line competitive amid injuries, the staff could elevate to elite status. For Dolphins fans, the 2024 staff represents the most promising group in decades—a blend of old and new that understands what it takes to win in the modern NFL. As long as they continue to adapt and grow, there’s no reason this coaching staff can’t lead Miami to its first Super Bowl appearance since 1984.