Team expected to hire RB, DL coaches
The Miami Dolphins are expected to hire Detroit defensive line coach Kris Kocurek, replacing defensive line coach Terrell Williams, and Denver running backs coach Eric Studesville, who replaces Danny Barrett.
Kocurek joins the Dolphins after spending the previous nine seasons with the Lions, where he coached Dolphins defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh for his first five NFL seasons. Kocurek, 39, will have to improve a defensive line that helped Miami rank 14th against the run (110.5 yards allowed per game), but produced just 25.5 sacks among the team’s 30.
Kocurek played defensive tackle in the NFL for two seasons with Seattle (2001) and Tennessee (2001-02) after being a seventh-round pick out of Texas Tech.
The Dolphins have a pair of veteran mainstays between Suh and defensive end Cameron Wake, and they hope they have steady performers among defensive tackles Jordan Phillips, Davon Godchaux and Vincent Taylor, and defensive ends Andre Branch and Terrence Fede.
Most likely the Dolphins will be seeking defensiveline depth, especially at pass rusher, in the offseason. But run support will also be a need, especially if veteran end William Hayes, an unrestricted free agent, doesn’t return.
As for Studesville, the 50-year old has spent the last eight seasons with the Broncos serving as running backs coach (2010-16) and assistant head coach/running backs coach (2017) with a brief stint as interim head coach (2010).
Studesville was in Denver with Dolphins coach Adam Gase when Gase served as the Broncos wide receivers coach (2010), quarterbacks coach (2011-12) and offensive coordinator (2013-14).
Studesville, an NFL coach since 1997, has also served as running backs coach for Buffalo (2004-09), the New York Giants (2001-03) and Chicago (1997-2000).
Gase has said he wants to run a two-back system, so the Dolphins must find someone in the offseason to pair with running back Kenyan Drake. Third-down specialist Damien Williams is an unrestricted free agent, and the other running backs on the roster — Senorise Perry and De’Veon Smith — aren’t NFL-proven.
Miami was 29th in rushing this past season yards per game.
The Dolphins’ coaching staff has undergone several changes in the offseason with changes made or expected to be completed at offensive coordinator (Dowell Loggains), running backs (Studesville), defensive line (Kocurek), offensive line (Jeremiah Washburn) and secondary (still vacant). at 86.8
chperkins@ sunsentinel.com; On Twitter @Chrisperk