It was always presumed that if defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer left for a vacant head coaching position, one of the candidates to replace him as the team's defensive coordinator would be defensive backs coach Kevin Coyle. According to Jason La Canfora with the NFL Network, Miami's newest head coach Joe Philbin could be targeting Coyle for his defensive coordinator.
@JasonLaCanfora
Jason La CanforaIf the Dolphins do hire outside the team for a DC, and Todd Bowles departs, Bengals DBs coach Kevin Coyle would be candidate #insideslant
13 minutes ago via Twitter for BlackBerry® · powered by @socialditto
Unlike open head coaching positions, the Dolphins simply can't sign Coyle away from the Bengals. Miami must request and be granted permission from Cincinnati if any interest is to materialize. Considering that the Bengals outright denied the Eagles an interview last year for their vacant defensive coordinator spot, it would seem unlikely that Cincinnati would have a change of heart. This is especially true if Zimmer becomes a head coach this year because Coyle is believed to be one of the team's top contingencies at defensive coordinator.