Dolphins To Tap Ex-Jets QB Coach For Off. Coordinator
NEW YORK (AP) — The Miami Dolphins are looking to another low-scoring team for an offensive coordinator.
The Dolphins are expected to hire Cleveland Browns coordinator Brian Daboll, a person familiar with the negotiations said Monday. The person said the Dolphins have decided on Daboll and are expected to announce the hiring later this week.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because a deal hadn't been finalized.
Daboll was the Browns' coordinator the past two season and wasn't expected to be retained after they fired coach Eric Mangini following a second successive 5-11 season. Dan Henning left the Dolphins after three seasons as their coordinator.
New Browns coach Pat Shurmur is expected to interview candidates to replace Daboll this week. Shurmur initially plans to call Cleveland's plays and will bring in a coordinator he can groom.
Daboll's job this season was complicated because of injuries at quarterback, and the Browns finished last in the AFC in points with 271, two less than the Dolphins. Miami finished 21st in yardage and Cleveland 29th this season, and both teams were criticized for predictable, conservative play-calling.
Dolphins owner Stephen Ross has pledged the offense will be more aggressive, creative and exciting in 2011. That promise came as Ross gave head coach Tony Sparano a two-year contract extension following a disappointing 7-9 season.
Ross courted Stanford coach and offensive whiz Jim Harbaugh as a replacement for Sparano. Harbaugh instead was hired by the San Francisco 49ers.
Daboll was the New York Jets' quarterbacks coach in 2007-08. He spent seven seasons with the New England Patriots as a defensive coaching assistant (2000-01) and wide receivers coach (2002-06).
___
AP Sports Writer Tom Withers in Cleveland contributed to this report.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.
