The Dolphins are sending mixed messages.
Dolphins owner Stephen Ross said Monday he’s looking for the next “young Don Shula.” He’s also retaining his G.M. Jeff Ireland and said Ireland will help pick the next coach.
That indicates the Dolphins are more likely to go after a younger coach not seeking personnel power.
Privately, Ross seems to be sending a different message. An “associate of Ross” told Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald that Ross will go after star coaches, starting with Bill Cowher.
“Though Bill Cowher said Oct. 30 on CBS that he does not plan to coach next season, the Dolphins are not convinced that he’s adamant about that and are expected to contact him once the job is open,” Jackson writes.
If Cowher turns the team down, Jackson says the team will target Jon Gruden, Jeff Fisher and Brian Billick. Andy Reid would be another possibility if he was fired by the Eagles.
In short, having a “big name” seems to be the primary requirement for the job, no matter what Ross said in his press conference Monday.
We’re a little confused how Ireland fits in all this. Cowher will want personnel control or he’ll want to bring his own guys in. Gruden would probably want the same.
Keeping Ireland seems to eliminate some of the big names, especially Cowher. Perhaps Ross doesn’t understand that or maybe he’s just clumsily going about all of this.