The Miami Dolphins have hired Bengals defensive backs coach Kevin Coyle on Friday, becoming Miami's newest defensive coordinator according to NFL Network Insider Jason La Canfora. Coyle will replace Mike Nolan, who joined the Atlanta Falcons in the same function over the offseason. Coyle appeared to be a favorite for the job from the start. After NFL Network Insider Jason La Canfora reported that Miami was interested, the Dolphins were granted two interviews, the first of which took place on Wednesday. It was initially surprising that the Bengals would even allow the interview in the first place, after rejecting the Philadelphia Eagles a request for an interview last year.
Earlier in the day on Thursday, Dolphins General Manager Jeff Ireland announced that the team was converting back to a base 4-3 defensive philosophy, generating speculation that hiring Coyle was all but a certainty.
With Coyle leaving, Cincinnati will have to find a new defensive backs coach to replace him. Earlier this week we offered two choices in former Dolphins intern head coach Todd Bowles and if the team stayed internal, then assistant defensive backs coach Paul Guenther.
Coyle joined the Cincinnati Bengals in 2001 as a defensive assistant before a promotion in 2003, becoming the team's secondary coach, where defensive backs registered 133 interceptions during that span. He also helped send Deltha O'Neal (2005) and Tory James (2004) to the Pro Bowl with guys like Johnathan Joseph and Leon Hall on the cusp of being named themselves -- they were alternates.
What's more impressive is his recent work with Reggie Nelson and Adam Jones, both experiencing a rejuvenation to their respective careers -- and Chris Crocker four years ago (though not so much today).
From everyone at Cincy Jungle, congratulations to a Bengals coach receiving a promotion after 11 years with the organization.