Rookie head coach Mike McDaniel had himself a solid first year with the Miami Dolphins.
The former San Francisco 49ers coordinator helped take the Dolphins to the playoffs in his first season with the team.
However, the playoff return was aided by the addition of several offensive weapons for him.
While the offense was great to start the season, it flatlined when Tua Tagovailoa missed games.
With pressure on the defense, they didn’t hold up in games without Tagovailoa on offense.
This then led the Dolphins to fire their defensive coordinator and hire Vic Fangio.
However, according to Jeff Darlington, McDaniel always wanted Fangio in Miami.
Mike McDaniel was willing to bring Fangio to Miami last year when he first arrived, but he also understood the team's desires to keep Boyer after solid 2021 defense. I never sensed McDaniel viewed Boyer as a lame duck, but when it didn't work out… this became a clear path.
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) February 2, 2023
With the Dolphins defense struggling, despite several star players on their defense, it gave McDaniel “a clear path” to bring in Fangio.
Former defensive coordinator Josh Boyer became a casualty to a hiring which McDaniel always wanted.
However, Boyer got his chance in 2022, mainly from his impressive work with the Dolphins defense in 2020 and 2021.
While his defense floundered for one season, it was enough for the Dolphins head coach to get his way.
However, the hiring of Fangio is solid for the team, as he knows how to turn around defenses.
He has plenty of talent to work with in Miami, as they have Bradley Chubb, Melvin Ingram, Jaelan Phillips, and Xavien Howard.
This core of defensive talent gives him all the tool to revive the defense which Boyer coached.
While McDaniel wanted him in Miami sooner, he now gets a chance in 2023 to show what the two can do for the Dolphins.
NEXT: The Dolphins Continue To Stand Alone Atop The NFL
