The Dolphins haven’t been to a Super Bowl since their coach’s last name was Shula. So why not interview a coach with the last name Shula?
Per multiple reports, the Dolphins have requested permission to interview Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula. He’s the grandson of legendary Dolphins coach Don Shula.
Chris, 39, joined the Rams in 2017, as part of head coach Sean McVay’s initial staff. Shula became the defensive coordinator in 2024, replacing former Falcons head coach Raheem Moore.
Chris Shula is also the son of David Shula, who was hired to coach the Bengals at the age of 33. He went 19-52 in four-plus seasons.
Don, of course, is the all-time winningest coach in pro football history, with 328 regular-season wins and 347 total wins, including the postseason.
He became head coach of the Colts at 33, taking them to Super Bowl III. After joining the Dolphins in 1970, Don Shula led Miami to three straight Super Bowls, winning Super Bowl VII and Super Bowl VIII. His 1972 team went 17-0.
The Rams finished 17th in total defense, allowing 327.5 yards per game. They were tenth in points allowed, at 20.4. They begin their 2025 playoff run later today, with a wild-card game at Carolina.
The Falcons hired Matt Ryan as their president of football on Saturday morning and he’ll move right into the interview process for the team’s next head coach.
According to multiple reports, the team will interview Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak and Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver on Saturday.
Kubiak has already interviewed with the Ravens and Raiders this week. He’s also been linked to the Cardinals and Giants, which makes him one of the most popular names in this year’s cycle.
A number of teams have also requested interviews with Weaver, who just completed his second season in Miami.
The Falcons are also expected to speak with former Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski and more names will likely be added to the list now that Ryan is officially in place at the top of their football operations.
The Dolphins announced an agreement with Jon-Eric Sullivan to be their new General Manager on Friday.
Sullivan was the vice president of player personnel for the Packers and has spent the last 22 years in the Green Bay organization. He served in the vice president role for his final four years with the team.
“I could not be more excited to welcome Jon-Eric Sullivan as our next general manager. Jon-Eric brings a clear vision for how to build and run a football team, founded upon his own experience at a winning organization,” Dolphins owner Stephen Ross said in a statement. “As we went through our search process, it became undeniable the respect Jon-Eric has across the league as a talent evaluator, leader and man of integrity. We had an extremely talented group of candidates, and Jon-Eric’s ability to stand out so clearly speaks to how impressive he is — not only for his experience, but also his depth of knowledge, his detail-oriented approach and his passion. I believe we found the best of the best in Jon-Eric, and I’m looking forward to working with him as he leads us into a new era of Dolphins football.”
In his own statement, Sullivan said that “our team building process will be intentional, disciplined and sound” and stressed collaboration as an important factor. The Dolphins’ next hire will be their next head coach and that person will join Sullivan in setting the direction for the franchise.
Mike McDaniel is beginning to line up interviews as he looks for his next stop.
According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Media, the Titans will interview McDaniel for their head coaching vacancy next Wednesday.
McDaniel was just fired by the Dolphins on Thursday after going 35-33 in the regular season from 2022-2025. He was also 0-2 in the postseason.
The Browns are also reportedly interested in speaking with McDaniel about their head coaching vacancy.
Tennessee has cast a wide net when it comes to candidates, with interviews scheduled with recently fired head coaches Kevin Stefanski and Raheem Morris as well as Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy. Among several others, the club has also put in a request to interview Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, who previously served as Tennessee’s OC under former head coach Mike Vrabel.
The Dolphins have found their new General Manager.
According to multiple reports, the Dolphins will hire Jon-Eric Sullivan to fill the role. Sullivan was one of four finalists for the job and had his second interview with the team on Thursday.
Sullivan has worked for the Packers since 2004 in a variety of scouting and personnel roles. He spent the last four seasons as the team’s vice president of player personnel.
The first big task that Sullivan will be involved with in his new job will be the selection of the team’s next head coach. The Dolphins fired Mike McDaniel on Thursday, so Sullivan and the eventual hire will both be in their first season with the Dolphins in 2026.
