Dolphins Offensive Coordinator Search Won’t Be Easy

Dec 22, 2013; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Miami Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin on the sideline during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Bills beat the Dolphins 19-0. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Dolphins haven’t interviewed anyone yet that we know of for the vacant offensive coordinator position.  When they do, names like Ben McAdoo will surface to the top of prospective candidates.   McAdoo on paper is the most logical choice.  He comes from the same system being coached in Miami and the Dolphins reportedly are looking to carry that same style into 2014 under a new OC.

The problem however is who is going to want to come to Miami on what could be a one year deal?

For McAdoo the allure of coaching an entire offense could be enough to persuade him to leave Green Bay for Miami.  McAdoo currently is the QB’s coach who likely is being coached by Aaron Rodgers.  The question is will he accept the risk of being out of a job if in a year the Dolphins fire their head coach?  It should be noted that McAdoo is being interviewed by the Cleveland Browns for their HC vacancy.

That is a reasonable question to ask and while it really won’t pertain to McAdoo given the bump in pay and responsibility others may not be ready to join a staff that could be dismantled in less than a calendar year.  It’s unlikely that the Dolphins will look at guys like Rob Chudzinski or Gary Kubiak due to the difference in offensive philosophy but they may be the far better choices as both would likely be looking to make the leap back into a head coaching spot sooner rather than later.

This is not to say that the Dolphins options will be limited.  They won’t be.  A coordinator position on either side of the ball is often viewed as the stepping stone to HC and very few coaches will turn down the opportunity for such a promotion.  I’m only saying that it could make the situation a bit more difficult if the head coach is entering the 2014 season on the hot seat.

Joe Philbin is sitting on that chair.

Another issue is the status of Jeff Ireland.  If Ireland isn’t retained then a new GM could opt to replace Philbin and in that situation an OC’s job is suddenly open again as well.  Until the Dolphins officially make a decision on Ireland, it’s unlikely that Miami will be hiring a new OC in the near future.  Conversely, if Philbin does hire an OC and Ireland does get fired, then Stephen Ross will have a harder sell to prospective GM’s who may not like having a coach forced upon them to start their tenure.

As you can see there is a lot riding on different decisions made by Stephen Ross and until those are resolved we may have a hold up of other moves.