New Miami Head Coach Jeff Hafley Talks Dolphins Plans, Tua & More with Rich Eisen | Full Interview

What this episode is about

Jeff Hafley, the new head coach of the Miami Dolphins, reflects on the emotional significance of his appointment, sharing his personal journey and the supportive presence of his family during the transition. He discusses his beginnings in coaching, highlighting the challenges he faced, including sleeping in his office during his early career, and asserts that despite the struggles, they ultimately contributed to his success.

Key takeaways

• Emotional strength is not a weakness—it's a coach's superpower amplified by family ties and past sacrifices.
• Sleeping under a desk isn’t just a George Costanza move—it’s the gritty reality of relentless ambition in coaching.
• From MIT’s five fans to NFL glory, Hafley’s journey proves that passion usually outshines pedigree in coaching.
• Leaving head coaching for an NFL coordinator role? That's like trading a comfortable chair for a chance at greatness.
• In a world of instant gratification, Hafley’s story reminds us: success often demands years of sweat and solitude.

Who speaks in this episode?

• Rich Eisen (Host) · 7 min speaking
• Jeff Hafley (Guest) · 10 min speaking

What is discussed, and when

1. 0:00 – 3:00: Miami Dolphins, Jeff Hafley, Dave Wanstead, NFL
2. 3:00 – 6:00: Boston College, Jeff Hafley, Matt LaFleur, Kyle Shanahan
3. 6:00 – 9:00: Jeff Hafley, Miami Dolphins, Green Bay
4. 9:00 – 12:00: Miami Dolphins, Kyle Shanahan, Green Bay
5. 12:00 – 15:00: Jeff Hafley, Matt LaFleur, Boston College, Kyle Shanahan
6. 15:00 – 17:09: Jeff Hafley, Miami Dolphins, Matt LaFleur, Green Bay

Notable quotes from "New Miami Head Coach Jeff Hafley Talks Dolphins Plans, Tua & More with Rich Eisen | Full Interview"

• The head coach of the Miami Dolphins, Jeff Hafley, joining us here now on the program. Good to see you, coach. How are you sir?

  about Jeff Hafley · at 0:00

• To the present day here. So much being made about how you got started as a coach working what in Dave Wanstead's Pittsburgh Panthers coaching tree if you will and the manner in which you slept in the office. Jeff, what's this story about?

  about Dave Wanstead · at 1:27

• Ryan Day. had a really good season, went to the playoffs, won 13 and0, played really good defense and then I got the head job at Boston College and, had some success there.…

  about NFL · at 3:12

• The time, but it worked, Rich. So, how about them apples? How about them apples? Right. And in terms of being in Boston College and leaving a head coaching position to take a…

  about Boston College · at 4:50

• Like we're close. I'll call the defense, but I'll still have a defensive coordinator. As far as offense, I've been around guys I really respect like Matt Laflur and Kyle…

  about Matt LaFleur · at 11:52

Who and what is mentioned in this episode?

People

• Jeff Hafley — Person · Main guest · 6 mentions · first at 0:00
  Primary interview subject; discusses his coaching journey, influences (Wanstead, Shanahan, LaFleur, Day), and his leadership pillars and football philosophy.
• Matt LaFleur — Person · Referenced collaborator / former boss · 3 mentions · first at 3:42
  Hafley cites LaFleur as a respected offensive mind he learned from and as the person who recruited him back to the NFL as a defensive coordinator.
• Dave Wanstead — Person · Referenced mentor / coaching influence · 2 mentions · first at 1:31
  Credited by Hafley as a major career catalyst at Pitt; described as someone who promoted him and shaped his approach to people and players.
• Kyle Shanahan — Person · Referenced collaborator / coaching influence · 3 mentions · first at 3:01
  Mentioned as a coach Hafley worked with (49ers) and learned offensive concepts and game-management approaches from.
  The Bucks in the NFL. Bounced around the NFL, the Browns. I was with the Niners with Kyle Shanahan. I met him while I was in Cleveland. He was the coordinator. I was a DB coach…
• Ryan Day — Person · Referenced collaborator · 1 mention · first at 3:12
  Mentioned as the head coach at Ohio State during Hafley’s stint calling plays/leading defense, framing a key career step before becoming a college head coach.
  While I was in Cleveland. He was the coordinator. I was a DB coach and then I kind of took a leap of faith, went to call plays at Ohio State for a year with Ryan Day. had a…
• Derell Rivas — Person · Referenced player (likely misnamed in transcript) · 1 mention · first at 2:30
  Used as an anecdote from Hafley’s early coaching years at Pitt; the transcript likely intends Darrelle Revis, a star cornerback, to illustrate how talent can mask coaching gaps.
  And he changed my life. he took me from a GA at the time. I had a corner named Derell Rivas. So I thought he was a really good corner coach, Rich, like really good. And then when he left, I figured out I had a lot to work on. But Dave.

Companies & orgs

• Miami Dolphins — Company · Business focus · 6 mentions · first at 0:00
  The main subject of the episode, discussing the new head coach and team strategies.
  The head coach of the Miami Dolphins, Jeff Hafley, joining us here now on the program. Good to see you, coach. How are you sir?
• Boston College — Company · Referenced organization · 3 mentions · first at 3:16
  Mentioned as part of Jeff Hafley's coaching career before joining the Miami Dolphins.
• Ohio State — Company · Referenced organization · 1 mention · first at 3:09
  Mentioned as part of Jeff Hafley's coaching career, where he was a play caller.
  Kind of took a leap of faith, went to call plays at Ohio State for a year with Ryan Day. had a really good season, went to the playoffs, won 13 and0, played really good defense…
• MIT — Company · Referenced organization · 1 mention · first at 2:00
  Mentioned in passing as part of Jeff Hafley's early coaching career.
  No, I started coaching division 3 football at Worcester Polytech, which no one's ever heard of. My first game I ever coached was against MIT, which people know MIT, but definitely not for football. No disrespect to MIT.

Concepts & topics

• NFL — Concept · Core topic · 1 mention · first at 2:59
  Central theme of the episode, discussing the National Football League and its teams.

Places & events

• Green Bay — Place · Setting · 4 mentions · first at 5:28
  Mentioned as part of Jeff Hafley's coaching career, where he was a defensive coordinator.
  Got the head job at Boston College and, had some success there. Went to three bowl games and, I kind of took another leap of faith when Matt Laflur called and said, I need you to come, be my defensive coordinator. And after a lot of.

Full transcript with timestamps

0:00 the head coach of the Miami Dolphins, Jeff Hafley, joining us here now on the program. Good to see you, coach. How are you sir?

0:05 I'm good. I uh I had not seen that played, so I uh I appreciate you showing that to me.

0:12 You bet. Now, listen, I I I I think strength um is u 100% the ability to show emotion and and be there and be present. And you know, um, the only thing that, you know, you and I would be different from would be my wife loves walking around saying that she's, uh, the spouse of the host of the Rich Eyes show. Wait a minute. I'm being told that's the exact opposite of the reality of it.

0:36 So, you know, we're I I see you, man. I'm I'm with you. So, congratulations on all of that, coach.

0:41 No, thank you. I I appreciate it. And it was emotional. Um, you know, I didn't I didn't know I'd get like that. And then I saw obviously my wife and kids and to have my mom and brother and sister there kind of like all the emotions and everything and all the work and all the sacrifices just kind of came out. And then and then I thought of my dad who who uh who who's not around anymore and and I thought of him and it just that was an emotional day for me. Rich um very emotional but extremely happy and and to celebrate it with them meant a lot to me.

1:13 How old are your daughters? How old are they? my my daughter Hope is 10 and my other my daughter Leah is seven. So they're

1:18 so you're in the you're in the mix right now. That that that is for sure. Um and then you know obviously the journey I'd love to get to that before we get to the to the present day here. So much being made about how you got started as a coach um working uh what in Dave Wanstead's Pittsburgh Panthers coaching tree if you will and the manner in which you slept in the office. Jeff, what's this story about?

1:46 Man, that came out yesterday. I had no idea. I didn't even know how to respond to him. He asked me He asked me what I would say looking back. And the only thing I could think of was it worked. Um, no, I started coaching division 3 football at at Worcester Polytech, which no one's ever heard of. My first game I ever coached was against MIT, which people know MIT, but definitely not for football. No disrespect to MIT.

2:08 No. How about them apples, Jeff? That's what you got to say. How about them apples? That's what I should have said, Rich. How about the guy?

2:13 I'm here for you. I'm here for you. But you didn't know that. Exactly. Um, but no, so I think the first game I coached there, there was five people there and they were all my family members. So after that, I I kind of climbed the ladder to Alb and then then I went to pit with Dave Wstead and he changed my life. Um, he took me from a GA at the time. I had a corner named Derell Rivas. So I thought I thought he was a really good corner coach, Rich, like really good. And then when he left, I I figured out I had a lot to work on. But Dave named me the DB coach after that. And just really took care of my family, taught me how to treat people and treat players. And I still talk to him all the time. And it's pretty cool that he was the head coach of the Dolphins. And and now I can kind of try to make them proud. And you know, after that, I went to Ruckers for a year and then I got to the Bucks in the NFL. Bounced around the

3:01 NFL, the Browns. Uh I was with the Niners with Kyle Shanahan. I met him while I was in Cleveland. He was the coordinator. I was a DB coach and then I kind of took a leap of faith, went to call plays at Ohio State for a year with Ryan Day. Um, had a really good season, went to the playoffs, won 13 and0, played really good defense and then I got the head job at Boston College and, you know, had some success there. Went to three bowl games and, you know, I kind of took another leap of faith when Matt Laflur called and said, "I need you to come, you know, be my defensive coordinator." And after a lot of thought, uh, jumped back to the NFL and played some good defense and suddenly I'm a head coach again. So, it has been a it's been a wild journey, but one with hard work and surrounded myself with really lucky to be around really good people and players. I learned a lot from players, too. Um, to help me get to

3:47 where I am today. Well, let me rewind a little bit again. You slept under your desk like Castanza. Like, was it like George Castanza? Like you slept?

3:55 I'm a big Castanza. Big Stanza guy. That's what I'm saying. you know, but um you know, although I I do know one of your pillars was truth, and it's you know, Castan always said it's not a lie if you believe it. So, we'll get to that in a second. But you really slept under your desk for real.

4:11 I did. I um Yeah, I I moved into the office. I had a locker with my clothes in it. I had an air mattress and I blew it up every night and I put it to bed. I put it underneath my desk and got to work. And I did that I did that for almost two years while I was a graduate assistant. I just I just wanted to move there and give it everything I had because it was to the point where I was going to, you know, take a shot, see if this coaching thing was going to work out. Um, you know, and I just I wanted to give it everything I had and and um and I did and I got promoted and it was a lot of sacrifice, Rich. I didn't have a lot of friends. I didn't go on any dates. I you could say I probably wasn't a real fun guy to hang around with at the time, but but it worked, Rich. So, how about them apples?

4:54 How about them apples? Right. And and in terms of being in Boston College and leaving a head coaching position to take a defensive coordinator position in the National Football League, again, just to put myself in your shoes. Um, you know, once upon a time, I I I departed ESPN for NFL Network and people are like, "What the hell are you doing? Uh, what happened? Why did you do that?" Do you get a lot of people saying the same thing to you back in that day? Why are you leaving being an HC to be a DC? Yeah, a lot of people a lot of people questioned it. Um, but but to be very truthful with you, you know, I love my time there in the first two years without the portal, without NIL, it was so pure. I mean, at BC that we had such unbelievable students. They went to class, they did the right things, they worked hard, we were tough, we played so darn hard. Um, and you know, like I said, we had some success. And I just

5:47 when the portal hit and NIL hit, it's just it turned into a different job. you know, I I wanted to get into it to coach football to help change people's lives. And I just loved the the pure game of college football and all of a sudden it was I wasn't coaching anymore. I mean, I was on the four phones and recruiting my own players and trying to raise money at a place that was going to be hard to to do so for football. I just I just didn't like the person I was becoming and I wasn't doing the job that I dreamed of. And I just I wanted to coach ball and you know I thought if I went back and you know had had a good stint at Green Bay that maybe I could be an NFL head coach. So I kind of bet on myself and kind of like sleeping under my desk. I took another shot and gave it everything I had and I guess it worked again.

6:31 Reggie, how about them apples? But now and and it's pretty cool though if I had told that kid in New Jersey, right? um that you're going to uh occupy Don Schula's office in a way, right? And uh in the process uh convince a group of folks uh that you're deserving of it and you're ready for it. That includes Troy Aman. What would you have said?

6:56 Uh I I would say I'm not sure that's going to work, Rich. I don't I don't I'd say I'd say this. Um, you know, I was pretty driven when I was young and um, I thought my mom and dad really instilled that in me. You know, how to work hard and how to chase your dreams. You know, even when I got started, you know, a lot of my family members worked in New York City because I am from New Jersey. Exit 172 off the Parkway in case you were wondering. Make sure New Jersey guys understand the exit.

7:25 Yep. Um, but yeah, it was what are you doing? I mean, $2,500 the first job I ever coached and it was why are you doing this? But I always had support from my mom and dad. And during hard times when I didn't have any money or could barely afford to really live anywhere, you know, they really supported me and because of that, I just kept pushing and working and I chased a dream and, you know, when you really set out to do something and you give it all you have, you know, good things happen. So I'm just glad glad I did it the way I did it because I also believe my foundation was built the right way. There is no job too small even right now. And I think I learned how to treat people. I learned how to go through the ups and the downs.

8:05 Um, and I think it will really help me in this next stop. So, uh, walk me through those pillars that you mentioned in your, uh, opening statement. Uh, Jeff Hafley, the new Miami Dolphins head coach here on the Rich Eisen Show. Um, I was, uh, I certainly was taking notes myself, so go for it if you don't mind.

8:23 Yeah, I mean I mean I think the first one I talked about when I get in front of this team is I want to talk about trust. And you know what I said yesterday, this is this world, it's getting harder to trust people. And you always hear that these players and these young players and these new players coming out of college, they don't want to trust anyone. And that's okay. Um I'm going to earn it and and I tell them that. I'm going to earn it. And actions speak louder than words. And I'm going to show people that what I say is what I'm going to do. And I'm going to pour into them and do everything I can for them. But it's a two-way street. And I'm going to make them earn it. And that's really, really important to me. And I think that's the starting point. And then I also think belief is important. I mean, even as far as when I was at on my exit interviews at Green Bay, some of these players when they were asking me

9:07 if I was coming or going, some of them were, you know, obviously upset and they thanked me for believing in them because this this world you get beat up in right now. You get beat up on social media, you get beat up on TV. Um, and it's hard. And sometimes these players need somebody to believe in them before they even can believe in themselves. And I believe once they do that and they believe in themselves, then they'll believe in their teammates and then that's when they'll become connected. And that's what I've always prided myself on is connecting with people. But this isn't like I want to be their friend. No, because then you got to hold them accountable. And I mean an extreme level of accountability because I do believe whether it was coaching Micah Parsons or Ronda Barber or Richard Sherman, all good players, they want to be told what to do and how hard they can do it so that they can get better

9:51 because they all want to be great. And if they tell you they want to be great and this team tells me they want this to be the standard, I'm going to hold them to it and I'm going to push them. And then I talked about toughness physically and mentally in everything we do. And that's how we have to live and that's how we have to practice. And those are really the things that I want this team to be about and we're going to talk about on April 6th when they get here. And in terms of that, um, so in your vision that you lay out, if you wouldn't mind, um, taking me in your meetings with the brass that wound up you getting this job and us chatting right now. Um, what you're willing to share about the plan at quarterback for the Miami Dolphins. You know, it's a quarterback driven league and um, you know, and I'm I'm sure you haven't had these conversations even with the quarterback room yet, so pardon me for asking, but

10:40 it is my job. So, what do you have for me on that front that you're willing to share and the fans?

10:46 Yeah, that's a fair question. Um, you know, and it's one John, Eric, and I talked about throughout the meetings. It's one we talked about with everybody in the meetings, and there'll be guys on this roster who will compete, and there'll be guys that we'll go out and get that will compete. Um, I think it's obviously early in this process. This is literally my first day full-time on the job.

11:05 I couldn't even tell you where I am in the building right now or how to get back to my office.

11:10 So, I think the quarterback plan is gonna probably take a little time. Um, and maybe you could call John Eric and he could share it with you and then he share it with me, too.

11:19 Okay, that's a very fair answer to that question and I appreciate that. Um, you know, cuz obviously, you know, this is a question capwise and things of that nature that you're going to start to to dig into. Philosophically, the offense looks like what though? What do you what do you think about what the Jeff Halfley offense is going to be and who you have plans to bring in to potentially run it?

11:43 Yeah, I think we'll see in the next day or two uh who the coordinator is. We're just kind of piecing that together right now and hopefully by the weekend we'll have all three coordinators in. I feel like we're close. Um I'll call the defense, but I'll still have a defensive coordinator. As far as offense, I've been around guys I really respect like like Matt Laflur and Kyle Shanahan. Um, those are two guys that I spent a lot of time with and and Kevin Okonnell. I was with him for a while. So, I like a lot of those things that they do. We got to be able to run the football. Um, and it has to start up front. You know, it has to be get the quarterback under center.

12:15 I like the play pass, the keepers, the boots, and the screens. The different motions to create leverage, tying in the run and the pass game, trying to create that different levels between the second and third level stuff that I think is hard to defend from a defensive play caller. Um, and then it's really going to come down to the pieces that we have and what can we do best. You know, we've got some good pieces on offense, but I'm also a believer, Rich, that you got to get a guy who can take the players that he has and adapt the offense, certainly within your philosophy

12:46 and put those guys in position to have success. And if it's a quarterback that can be under center, great. If it's a quarterback that cannot, then we'll have to get created and play in the gun more. But you got to establish the run game and you got to have actions off of it. And you got to be great situationally. And then as a defensive guy, I want someone that's going to hunt explosives because everything I do on every single situation on defense is to eliminate explosives. And I think on offense, that's how you score points. So, I gave you a lot of stuff, but those are the things I believe in.

13:13 I appreciate that. And uh I did hear the word competition uh moments ago. Is that your plan that this there will be a quarterback competition in Jeff Halfley's first go at it here in Miami? I I think there has to be um you know regardless of who's here. I mean I I think that's important at all positions and you can tell me that's coach talk and part of that is coach talk so let's be honest but

13:36 yeah I do see that there's going to be competition at the quarterback position and at all levels.

13:40 Okay. And then um a couple more for you here uh Jeff Hafley uh on the Rich Eisen show. Um, what did you pick up from Matt Laflur that you think you're going to be able to implement? Because obviously he's in the play sheet uh and coaching and that's that's a lot as you know to do in real time and that's something that you're going to have to do with a challenge flag and your and you know so what what'd you pick up or you who who might you reach out to uh on that front to get ready for the crucial?

14:13 Yeah. Well, I I do have some experience and I'll give you I'll give you a quick fun story. So, my first

14:18 my first game ever as a head coach at Boston College. I'm I'm literally on a knee drawing stuff up and showing the defensive players uh an adjustment and I get a tap on the shoulder. It's like, "Coach, are we going to go for it? It's fourth down." And I was like, "Are you kidding me? It's fourth down already." And I was like, "Oh my gosh, I got to make this decision, too." So, that snapped me back into it real quick. So,

14:40 I do I do have experience. Yes. Uh I do have experience. So I after year four or year three, whatever it was, I finally figured out that

14:49 I had to get ready to tell him when to go for it and I got way better at it. But I did see Matt do it and I did see Kyle do it. Yep.

14:56 Um I think it's important for me to have a defensive coordinator who knows my system very well and can implement that all off seasonason while I am the head coach and I kind of engulf myself with this team and in all three phases. And that person will be someone that I rely on throughout the game as well. Uh, so I can work together with them kind of like both Matt and Kyle have had. Yep. So I think those experiences along with my own will help me for sure.

15:21 All right. Do you and Matt go to the same barber in Green Bay? Did you did you um like all joking aside, we we we do go to the same barber.

15:30 That's unbelievable. How did you how'd you know that? You know, I don't know, Jeff. I'm I'm I'm fixated on hair and people who have it and what they do with it cuz I used to do that to be honest with you. I'm I So that's what I was wondering. Um

15:44 we do we we go to the same barber. We actually he comes to the office once a week and cuts both mine and Matt's hair. So I'm going to have to find a barber down here unless

15:51 that guy wants to move and then Matt will have to find a new barber and he won't be very happy because

15:55 Matt's Matt's got pretty cool hair. It's great, man. This is This is probably one of the most fun

16:04 Oh, good. TV interviews I I'll tell you, I've done it a long time. This is I got to come on. Hopefully, you guys will have me back cuz this is actually enjoyable.

16:10 Be careful, Jeff, because I take that sort of stuff literally and I will in fact reach out for it. You know, I kind of I kind of feel that way. But in the meantime, uh good luck getting back to your office. I guess I should say that, you know.

16:21 I appreciate Thanks for listening. That means you're actually listening to me. So, I appreciate it.

16:25 Just text us to make sure you get back. Okay. Yeah. Should we do that? Yeah. Yeah. It's sort of like Yeah. We feel like we're emotionally invested now.

16:32 Absolutely. Yeah. That's part of the trust. You know what I mean? That's part of the relationship here. You know what I mean?

16:36 And and I hope you believe that I will get back to my office as well. And that you will come back when I ask you.

16:43 That could be coach speak too. I've been around the block. Uh congrats on the gig. Congrats on the gig. You got it. I appreciate it.

16:49 You bet. That's Jeff Hafley, the new head coach in the Miami Dolphins right here on the Rich Eisen Show.

16:54 By the way, if he's if he's from Jersey and he's gotten through jug handles, he'll get back to his office just fine. Hey, you made it all the way to the end. Thanks for that.

Questions about this episode

Who speaks in "New Miami Head Coach Jeff Hafley Talks Dolphins Plans, Tua & More with Rich Eisen | Full Interview"?

Rich Eisen (Host), Jeff Hafley (Guest).

What is "New Miami Head Coach Jeff Hafley Talks Dolphins Plans, Tua & More with Rich Eisen | Full Interview" about?

Jeff Hafley, the new head coach of the Miami Dolphins, reflects on the emotional significance of his appointment, sharing his personal journey and the supportive presence of his family during the transition. He discusses his beginnings in coaching, highlighting the challenges he faced, including sleeping in his office during his early career, and asserts that despite the struggles, they…

What is mentioned in this The Rich Eisen Show episode?

12 people, works and ideas are mentioned, including Jeff Hafley, Miami Dolphins, NFL, Matt LaFleur, Dave Wanstead, Kyle Shanahan. Each one on this page links to its own page with every episode that mentions it.

How long is "New Miami Head Coach Jeff Hafley Talks Dolphins Plans, Tua & More with Rich Eisen | Full Interview"?

The episode runs 17 min; the transcript is about 3,953 words in 53 timestamped sections.

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