After hiring Jon Embree as assistant head coach/tight ends coach earlier today, the Dolphins are now eyeing offensive coordinator candidates. According to Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network, the team is interviewing Curtis Johnson for their OC job.
[RELATED: Dolphins To Hire Jon Embree As Assistant Head Coach]
Johnson has had two long stints with the Saints, most recently as a senior offensive assistant (and wide receivers coach in 2021). The 60-year-old also had a stint as the Bears WRs coach, and he was head coach at Tulane between 2012 and 2015. Johnson coached at Miami (FL) between 1996 and 2005, so this would be a bit of a homecoming for the veteran coach.
Meanwhile, Armando Salguero reports (via Twitter) that the Dolphins have hired Wes Welker as their wide receivers coach. Welker appeared in 46 games for the Dolphins before turning into a Pro Bowler with the Patriots. Since his playing career ended, Welker has switched to coaching. He served on the Texans coaching staff in 2017 and 2018, and he’s been the 49ers wide receivers coach since 2019.
One coach who won’t be sticking around Miami is Gerald Alexander. According to Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network (on Twitter), the Dolphins have fired the defensive backs coach. Wolfe described this as a “shocking move” considering how Alexander is viewed in NFL circles. The former second-round pick switched to coaching following his playing career, and he had been with the Dolphins since 2020.
It’s surprising to me that Welker did not stay in San Francisco. It seems that the receivers there looked to have taken a step forward this year in their route running, especially Aiyuk. Considering that was Welker’s calling card, I supposed that was partially due to his influence. I suppose also then that McDaniel really believes in Welker’s abilities to bring him along.
As for Alexander…perhaps ownership or management thought him too close to Flores. He shouldn’t have trouble finding work, I guess, but if his connection to Flores is the reason for his firing, I wouldn’t be surprised if he considered some type of action.
Been with the Dolphins since 2020… Wow, long tenure.