New assistant backs coach Hill brings plenty of experience

DAVIE The Miami Dolphins named Renaldo Hill as their assistant defensive backs coach Friday. Hill played safety for the team from 2006-08. He spent the past three seasons as defensive backs coach at the University of Pittsburgh.

Hill, 39, played 10 seasons in the NFL with Arizona (2001-04), Oakland (2005), Miami and Denver (2009-10).

Dolphins coach Adam Gase served as Denver’s wide receivers coach from 2009-10.

Hill, who hails from Detroit, started his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Wyoming in 2012 and coached their cornerbacks in 2013.

At Pitt, Hill helped develop safety Jordan Whitehead, who projects to go in the second or third round of this year’s draft, and cornerback Avonte Maddox, who might be a late-round pick.

Hill will work under Dolphins defensive backs coach Tony Oden, who was named to his job Jan. 31 after spending the previous four seasons in Detroit.

The Dolphins return a host of talent in the secondary, led by Pro Bowl safety Reshad Jones. In addition, they return starting cornerbacks Xavien Howard and Cordrea Tankersley, as well as starting nickel Bobby McCain and starting safety T.J. McDonald. Miami also expects to get cornerback Tony Lippett back from a season-ending Achilles injury sustained in training camp.

Hill was a starter on the Dolphins’ 2008 squad that won the AFC East. He made 15 starts and recorded three interceptions. Hill becomes the 10th ex-Dolphins player to become a Dolphins coach.

chperkins@sunsentinel.com or Twitter @Chrisperk