Joe Philbin is about the business of hiring a coaching staff right now. And while many of Miami's assistant coaches are excellent at what they do and the club denied some of them permission to interview with other clubs the past two weeks, their chances of staying seem slim now.
Philbin talked to interim head coach Todd Bowles Sunday and the message didn't exactly suggest the new coach is eager to retain Bowles. In fact, a source close to Bowles just told me the club's secondary/assistant head coach/interim head coach will not return to the Dolphins.
Obviously this can change at the last minute -- just google Chip Kelly. But Bowles is not in Mobile, Ala. for the Senior Bowl representing the team and he was told to feel free to search for other opportunities if he likes.
Bowles and Philbin are scheduled to speak again on Wednesday to finalize the plan for the assistant, but the source tells me the vibe when Philbin and Bowles talked last time was he was told he's free to find another job and Philbin would not hold him back.
The Wednesday meeting, meanwhile, is not expected to be anything formal. It's supposed to be a phone call, unless Philbin changes his mind between now and then.
Bowles, meanwhile, is going to do exactly what he was told: He has one year remaining with on his Dolphins contract. But he's going to search for opportunities elsewhere.
He's not alone. Philbin is setting a course to revamp the Miami offensive staff. I was told not to expect too many coaches to be retained from that offensive staff.
One coach who is not expected to be retained is offensive line coach Dave DeGuglielmo. Philbin, a former offensive line coach, wants to instill his way of doing things and he obviouslyy wants his people. He has already reportedly reached out to Jacksonville offensive line coach Andy Heck. Googs, as he is affectionately called in the building, is headed to the New York Jets with longtime friend Tony Sparano, according to a league source.
[Update: The Florida Times Union is reporting the Jaguars are retaining Heck.]
Wide receiver coach Steve Bush also leaving the Miami staff, according to a source in the agent industry. Assistant wide receivers coach Ike Hilliard's status is uncertain, according to the same source.
[Update: Hilliard has been hired by the Washington Redskins, that team announced today.]
Offensive coordinator Brian Daboll had feelers from other teams after the regular season. The Dolphins denied him permission to interview elsewhere, according to a source. While his fate in Miami has not been sealed, it is a long shot he will return to the staff, according to a source.
Daboll may wind up in either Kansas City or with the New York Jets.
A source close to linebacker coach Bill Sheridan also tells me he'll be leaving the Dolphins. Sheridan was with the team two seasons.
