One overlooked coaching change may be the key to the Miami Dolphins’ biggest breakout candidate in 2026
A long-time Miami Dolphins assistant is facing a fresh challenge — and it could change everything for the team if he nails it.
We’ve had plenty of conversations about the coaching staff changes the Miami Dolphins have made this offseason.
There are a lot of new faces in South Florida. Jeff Hafley’s staff has reached just about every corner of the football world. But perhaps one of the most compelling and fascinating changes coming to the Dolphins’ staff this offseason is with a familiar face taking on new responsibilities. One of the team’s key defenders, former first round pick Chop Robinson, touched on it earlier this week — defensive line coach Austin Clark is going to get the chance to spur on a breakthrough with the EDGE room.
Austin Clark’s added responsibility is the key to the Miami Dolphins getting a Chop Robinson breakout
“It’s been great. Never really having a break with (Austin) Clark. He’s always on my ass about everything, but it’s good having a coach like that. He’s on me 24/7, but I know he wants me to be the best player I could be and become a complete player, just like everybody’s been saying,” said Robinson earlier this week.
Clark has, over the years, established quite the reputation in South Florida for his role in developing names like Zach Sieler and Christian Wilkins into quality starters. He’s also got the best out of names like Emmanuel Ogbah and Da’Shawn Hand before taking on a slew of rookies in 2025. His reputation and body of work has allowed him to survive two separate coaching staff changes in Miami. Clark was hired initially by Brian Flores — and yet here he is in 2026.
Not only is Clark still on Hafley’s staff, he’s got more influence than recent years. Clark has the entirety of the defensive line, including the EDGEs, in 2026.
For someone like Chop Robinson, the stable coaching could be key to a breakout. Robinson credited Clark’s persistence, yes. But it’s also worth noting that the EDGE room last year endured a last minute coaching staff interruption when former outside linebacker coach Ryan Crow was suspended indefinitely on the eve of the 2025 season stemming from a domestic violence incident in late August. Did that negatively impact Robinson in his second season? It surely didn’t help.
Miami needs to get some growth from Robinson in 2026. He’s a former first round draft choice who regressed in 2025. And if Clark is the key to getting it? It will serve as just the latest reminder of his magic touch on the defensive line. Robinson, for his part, is buying in.
“I just know I got my full trust in Clark. And I just go out there and do everything he say and just give him my best.”
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