Miami Dolphins’ Darren Rizzi has some players approval for HC
By Brian Miller
The Miami Dolphins plans for head coach has yet to be fully revealed but some players think that Darren Rizzi has earned his shot.
Stephen Ross and Chris Grier will interview Darren Rizzi for the Miami Dolphins head coaching vacancy and while he will not be the only candidate interviewed he very well be the best option for the Dolphins. At least if you listen to some of the players.
Dolphins running back Kenyan Drake has endorsed Rizzi and former special teams standout Michael Thomas thinks this is his time to shine.
Great to see Special Teams Coordinators get Head Coaching opportunities. Especially Coach Riz!Players love him because he commands respect from everyone!He’s relatable from the practice squad player to the highest paid guy. He always had us prepared. Pray you get your shot Riz ✊🏿 pic.twitter.com/EwoGOCMwln
— Michael Thomas (@Michael31Thomas) January 2, 2019
That is a very good endorsement from a guy that doesn’t have a dog in this hunt so to speak. Rizzi is very respected within the organization and with the players. Making him the head coach would make a lot of sense even if that elevation isn’t as flashy as many might want.
Rizzi has been outstanding as a special teams coach but one question is whether or not he can lure top coordinators and assistant coaches to the Dolphins to support him. It is possible that he would retain much of the offensive coaching staff including Dowell Loggains who many believed should have been calling the plays instead of Adam Gase. But would that be a wise decision given the play of the offense over the last two seasons? (Loggains was only there for one).
Rizzi would have to decide what happens on offense but he will need a new DC and defensive coaching members as well. Perhaps he could bring back Todd Bowles whom he coached with when Bowles was an interim HC.
Rizzi may not have been the head coach but he acted like one. More often than not Rizzi was the coach paying attention when the defense was on the field. It would make a lot of sense to promote Rizzi during this transition as well.
Kenyan Drake on Darren Rizzi, who is a Miami Dolphins head coach candidate: “Riz is the ultimate players coach. He has a way of balancing the personality of his players while getting the most from them. He’s intense but compassionate and that’s what makes him a great coach.”
— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) January 2, 2019
Rizzi knows the players on both sides and if the team is going to rebuild, why not give Rizzi a chance to prove that he belongs in the position? It would make a lot of sense for the Dolphins who may very well have the next John Harbaugh (a former special teams coach) on their staff.
This years coaching options are somewhat thin as many are first time coordinators or older coaches who are closer to retiring than waiting out a rebuild. Rizzi is young, already commands the respect of the players and other coaches, and has survived recent coaching changes.
For me Rizzi still is not the top of my list of head coaching options but he is climbing the more I think about him in the position.