Both executives arrived from the Green Bay Packers—Sullivan as vice president of player personnel and Hafley as defensive coordinator—and Hafley’s standout interview earned him a rapid second meeting, after which Miami moved quickly to offer the job to him to avoid other potential interview opportunities.
Hafley now faces the task of assembling his first NFL coaching staff, and one notable early move has drawn scrutiny: the promotion of Bobby Slowik to offensive coordinator.
Slowik previously served as the Texans’ offensive coordinator for three seasons and joined the Dolphins during Mike McDaniel’s tenure as senior pass game coordinator. Critics, including Dolphins analyst Chris Kauffman, described Slowik’s hire as an “ouch” and pointed to perceived shortcomings in the passing game during his time in Houston and with Miami.
Public reaction has been mixed, with fans noting the persistence of pass-game struggles under Slowik and questioning the decision to retain a member of the McDaniel-era staff. Social commentary highlighted Slowik’s lack of identifiable, standout achievements as a concern for some followers.
Supporters, however, caution that hiring success is not guaranteed by past performance alone. Slowik is viewed by some as a promising, young NFL mind who had drawn head-coaching interest in the past and who has established familiarity with Hafley—both from their time in Kyle Shanahan’s defensive system—and from his recent role in Houston and on McDaniel’s staff.
As Hafley continues to shape Miami’s coaching infrastructure, this early decision will be weighed alongside additional hires to complete the offensive and defensive staffs. The Dolphins’ ability to balance experience with potential will be closely monitored as the team pursues a successful transition into this new era.
