Miami Dolphins: Grading Mike McDaniel’s coaching staff
By Jeremy Klump
Defense and Special Teams
Josh Boyer (defensive coordinator): Josh Boyer was one of the only hires that made me worry. I do think Boyer is a good coach but is he a good defensive coordinator? Well, we will find out in 2022, as he no longer has Brian Floes micromanaging him. We will see if that’s a good or bad thing very quickly.
Grade: C+
Mathieu Araujo (assistant defensive backs): Mathieu Araujo is the former defensive coordinator at Yale and has coached defensive backs since 2017. He is a solid coach to have on staff.
Grade: B+
Anthony Campanile (linebackers): Anthony Campanile is back as linebackers coach, and I am sure Jerome Baker is happy. Campanile has helped coach Baker up, and Miami will likely be adding a new young linebacker this offseason.
Grade: B+
Austin Clark (defensive line): Austin Clark is also back in his name role as defensive line coach. I like keeping Campanile and Clark to help keep continuity with Boyer. Miami’s defensive line was awesome last year.
Grade: A
Steve Ferentz (assistant linebackers): Steve Ferentz is back too, and this time as assistant linebackers coach.
Grade: B
Steve Gregory (safeties): Steve Gregory is also back, but with a promotion to safeties coach. Gregory worked with the secondary last year and is a former NFL player.
Grade: B
Derrick LeBlanc (assistant defensive line): Derrick LeBlanc has 21 years of college coaching experience, and he has a great track record of his players getting drafted. He will help with the defensive line, which will surely help.
Grade: B
Sam Madison (cornerbacks/pass game specialist): Sam Madison needs no introduction; this is an awesome move by McDaniel.
Grade: A+
Ty McKenzie (outside linebackers): Ty McKenzie has five years of coaching experience in the NFL and is a former NFL player.
Grade: B+
Ryan Slowik (senior defensive assistant): Ryan Slowik will be jumping from coaching high school in Florida to a senior defensive assistant job for the Miami Dolphins. However, he also has 12 years of coaching experience in the NFL, so I enjoyed this hire.
Grade: A
Patrick Surtain (defensive assistant): Just like Madison, Patrick Surtain needs no introduction. McDaniel getting these two back together, but this time to coach the secondary is AWESOME!
Grade: A+
Danny Crossman (special teams coordinator): Danny Crossman is back as the special teams coordinator, and I see nothing wrong with this. He has 20 years of NFL coaching experience, and this will be his fourth as the Dolphins special teams coordinator.
Grade: A
Brendan Farrell (assistant special teams): Brendan Farrell stays on too with Crossman, and this will be his fourth year in the same position as well. I don’t hate either of these moves.
Grade: B+
This will all come down to one big thing; Will Josh Boyer be able to lead the defense? Who was calling plays last season when Miami’s season was saved? I do not think it was Boyer, so we will see how this works out. I am going in with an open mind, though, and I can’t wait to hopefully see this defense take a step forward.
Overall Defensive Grade: B