The Dolphins are formally checking the box with two heavy-hitting candidates on the head coaching market on Thursday

Two heavy hitters on defense are interviewing today.

Kyle Crabbs — NFL National Writer

Jan 15, 2026 12:15 PM EST

The process continues onward for the Miami Dolphins in their search for a new head coach. Miami has hosted veteran coach Kevin Stefanski this week in-person and conducted interviews with names like Klint Kubiak and Jeff Hafley. Today, the number of interviews completed nearly doubles — and Miami is sitting down with two of the top defensive coordinators in the game to investigate a possible fit for their head coaching vacancy.

In-person interviews for candidates who are currently employed by an NFL team can begin on Monday. So for now, the grind continues as the Dolphins explore candidates virtually. As a result, expect an announcement by the team this afternoon or evening on the interviews of 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh and Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter being complete.

Dolphins holding virtual interviews with Robert Saleh, Jesse Minter on Thursday

Saleh is a familiar face for Dolphins fans thanks to his time in New York with the Jets. As the head coach, Saleh’s tenure could be described as a disappointment — but the work he’s done this season back in San Francisco with a skeleton crew of players amid major injuries and free agent losses to all three levels of the defense is some of his best work to date. Because he’s well tethered to the Shanahan coaching tree, he should have no issues getting talented offensive assistants to help run his offense. But Saleh’s success as a second-chance head coach will come down to doing the thing they failed at in New York. Picking the right quarterback to tie the whole thing together.

Minter is a familiar face to Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, who is a major booster at the University of Michigan. Minter was the team’s defensive coordinator in 2023 when they won the National Championship. Minter followed Jim Harbaugh from Michigan to Los Angeles — where the Chargers have posted consecutive 11-win seasons paired with first-round exits from the playoffs.

Miami’s efforts to pursue candidates that could be qualified to fill the role range across both sides of the football — good. They should. Miami is starting anew, which means any kind of build and approach should be considered on the table if you go about your business the right way. The next part of that business is to identify and hire the best candidate to fill Miami’s post. Their work continues, as does our watch.