Mike Sherman Could Be Dolphins Offensive Coordinator Very Soon

Jan. 26 News and Notes 2 comments ---Bill

New Miami Dolphins head coach, Joe Philbin, has been working this week to put together his coaching staff.  One of the biggest pieces may be about to fall into place.  Moments ago, Adam Schefter (ESPN), Peter King (SI.com), and CBSSports all confirmed that Greg Schiano (Rutgers) will be named the next head coach of the Tampa Bay Bucs.  How does that impact the Dolphins?  Well, one of the finalists for the Bucs job happens to be a very long time friend of Joe Philbin.  Former Packers and Texas A&M Head Coach, Mike Sherman, interviewed with the Bucs this week for the 2nd time, but ultimately did not get the job.  After reporting the Schiano hire, Shefter tweeted this:

“And former Packers HC Mike Sherman is in Miami today to see if the two sides can work out a deal for him to become Dolphins OC”

Philbin and Sherman go way back.  Like, way, way back.  Sherman was Philbin’s English teacher in the late 1970′s.  Later in life (2003), Sherman was looking for an offensive line coach for his Green Bay Packers.  Philbin took a chance and hired Philbin who would rise through the ranks, even after Sherman’s departure from Green Bay, to become the offensive coordinator in 2007.  Sherman, meanwhile, went on to become the head coach at Texas A&M.  He was fired by the Aggies in December of 2011.

Now, it seems the two are about to reunite again.  I think Sherman is a great fit as the Dolphins offensive coordinator.  First, he knows Philbin well and Philbin trusts him.  Second, he has 6 years of head coaching experience in the NFL.  That is critical because Philbin is a first time head coach and he will be able to lean on Sherman for guidance.  I think the move makes a lot of sense for both parties involved.

Like Matt Flynn rumors kicking up when Joe Philbin took the Dolphins job, we expect Ryan Tannehill’s name to be mentioned quite a bit once Sherman is hired.  Tannehill played for Sherman at Texas A&M and is a wide receiver turned quarterback.  Tannehill switched positions in 2010 and is graded as one of the top QBs in the upcoming draft after Andrew Luck and RG3.  Tannehill, however, could not participate in the Senior Bowl because of a foot injury.  He is certainly someone to keep your eye on.  BUT, keep in mind that Sherman knows Tannehill’s strengths and weaknesses better than anyone.  He will give the Dolphins all the inside information they’ll need in the draft process.

We’ll keep you posted as soon as something becomes official.  However, I’d expect the news of Mike Sherman as the Dolphins new offensive coordinator to come down sometime in the next 24-48 hours.

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  • Finzone

    Bill, Another good article…I agree with everything & I would like to see Flynn & Moore on the roster, maybe Tannehill to learn from both. Mike Sherman as OC makes alot of sense & would make a good fit for ther very reasons you mentioned… Go get em Ross! Lets Go Fins!!!

    • http://www.phinnation.com Bill

      Thanks Finzone….Glad they wrapped it up and Sherman is on board now. Tannehill is very raw at QB and would certainly be a developmental QB candidate. It’ll be interesting to see which direction the Dolphins go…but their decision on a young QB won’t be from lack of information. Philbin coached Flynn & Sherman coached Tannehill and coached against Tyler Wilson, Brandon Weeden and RG3.