ORLANDO — The Miami Dolphins‘ robust search for a new defensive coordinator is over.
Baltimore Ravens associate head coach Anthony Weaver is Mike McDaniel’s pick to replace Vic Fangio, Pro Football Network can confirm.
As of late Saturday afternoon, the Dolphins were working to finalize a contract with Weaver that makes him their new defensive coordinator.
Miami Dolphins News: Who Is Anthony Weaver?
Weaver has prevailed over roughly a half-dozen other candidates, including former Chargers head coach Brandon Staley.
Other finalists for the opening included Bobby Babich, Anthony Campanile, Leslie Frazier, Chris Kiffin, Chris Shula, and Ryan Slowik.
Babich remained in Buffalo as the Bills’ new defensive coordinator. Shula was likewise promoted to DC by the Rams. Frazier is joining the Seahawks as Mike Macdonald’s associate head coach.
McDaniel was determined to conduct a comprehensive search for Fangio’s successor and, by all accounts, did.
And yet, he ultimately landed on a former colleague he’s known for more than a decade.
Weaver and McDaniel worked together on Mike Pettine’s Cleveland Browns staff for one season (2014).
McDaniel was the wide receivers coach and worked closely with Kyle Shanahan, the now-49ers head coach who was Cleveland’s offensive coordinator that year.
Weaver, who played on the defensive line for seven NFL seasons, was in charge of the Browns’ D-line after one-year stops with the Jets and Bills to get his start in coaching. After a two-year stint in Cleveland, Weaver joined the Houston Texans — first as a position coach and then as defensive coordinator in 2020.
He has spent his last three seasons with the Ravens, coaching their defensive line. John Harbaugh promoted him to associate head coach prior to the 2022 season but chose Zach Orr — not Weaver — as Macdonald’s replacement after the latter took the Seahawks’ top job this cycle.
Weaver was also a candidate for both the Falcons’ and Commanders’ head coach openings this offseason.
“If he gets that job, I’ll be happy for him,” Harbaugh said of the Dolphins’ opening earlier in the week.
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“If he takes the job, I don’t know if he’ll even take it if it’s offered. But, he’s involved in that job, and maybe I’m speaking out of turn here, maybe I’ll get in trouble if there’s a league rule against this, but he’ll be a great head coach. He didn’t get hired this cycle, and great coaches got hired, but someday, some people are going to look back and say, ‘Man, we had a chance to hire Anthony Weaver.’ I guarantee you that.
“They’re going to see that they missed their chance, and the next time around, somebody’s not going to miss their chance. That’s how I feel about Anthony.”
Here’s what Ravens coach John Harbaugh said about Anthony Weaver. He spoke rather glowingly about him.pic.twitter.com/Vf8Ry4YJOv https://t.co/yS1KH9ESBR
— David Furones (@DavidFurones_) February 2, 2024
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