Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Search narrows after a busy 3-day stretch
Dolphins moving on from Fangio, Munchak; List of candidates at 5
After a stretch of four interviews in four different states spanning three days, the Miami Dolphins have begun to narrow their search for a new head coach.
The Dolphins will not interview Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio or Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line coach Mike Munchak for the position, according to a league source.
The Dolphins, who did not meet with any coaching candidates on Monday, have cut their list of potential candidates down to five coaches, with an interview of longtime special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi expected to happen this week.
It is also possible another candidate could enter the mix for the Dolphins, who are expected to gauge the Baltimore Ravens’ asking price on a possible trade for coach John Harbaugh.
The Ravens’ season ended with a wild-card playoff loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, sparking an offseason of uncertainty for Baltimore.
Harbaugh, who has one year remaining on his contract through 2019, reportedly wants to stay with the Ravens. They were in talks to negotiate a contract extension before the playoff loss, and are reportedly making progress on a longterm extension.
The Dolphins, led by team owner Steve Ross and general manager Chris Grier, have signaled for a rebuild with hopes of landing a franchise quarterback in the 2019 or 2020 NFL drafts.
Trading away potential players for Harbaugh, who won a Super Bowl in 2012, would be something Ross and Grier would have to strongly consider if Harbaugh and the Ravens do not workout a deal.
It could cost the Dolphins a steep asking price, with reports indicating that the Ravens could ask for two first-round picks.
While Harbaugh may not want to change teams, he would likely not want to weaken the new team he would be traded to in such a deal, the NFL Network reported before Baltimore’s playoff loss.
Still, the Dolphins would be interested in seeing what it would cost to land Harbaugh.
Ross and Grier interviewed New England Patriots defensive play-caller Brian Flores in Foxborough, Mass. on Friday morning. Then, they interviewed Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy in the Kansas City area on Friday night.
The Dolphins also interviewed New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Dennis Allen in New Orleans on Saturday morning, before flying to Dallas to watch the Cowboys beat the Seattle Seahawks. Ross and Grier got a first-hand view of Cowboys defensive assistant Kris Richard, who was interviewed on Sunday night.
Rizzi, who has been an assistant with the Dolphins since 2009, is a favorite among many current and former Dolphins players.
The Dolphins requested permission last week to meet with Fangio, a 33-year NFL assistant without head coaching experience, and Munchak, who was the head coach of the Tennessee Titans from 2011-13.
The Dolphins were reportedly going to be one of two teams, along with the Denver Broncos, to interview Fangio on Monday, but that interview was ultimately not scheduled.
Munchak, who is considered a favorite in the Broncos’ coaching search, turned down Miami’s request for an interview, according to the NFL Network.