Dolphins Make Bold Defensive Move: Packers’ Linebackers Coach Set to Shake Up Their Strategy

Well, the Miami Dolphins are turning a fresh page on their defensive playbook, signaling an end to the Anthony Weaver chapter now that the head coaching carousel across the NFL has finally spun to a halt. Enter Sean Duggan, a youthful and sharp-minded coach fresh off a stint with the Green Bay Packers as their linebackers coach — and he’s set to helm the defensive coordinator role in the sun-drenched realm of South Florida. At just 32, Duggan’s journey has been closely intertwined with new Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley, chopping it up professionally from college sidelines at Ohio State and Boston College, right up to the pro ranks in Green Bay. For those who didn’t catch his playing days, Duggan isn’t some sideline greenhorn — he was a linebacker at Boston College, threading the needle with stats like 115 tackles and a handful of turnovers, all while serving as a team captain. What’s intriguing is that while Hafley will command defensive play-calling, Duggan’s mission will be to instill his head coach’s scheme, shepherding Miami’s defenders into tactical excellence. Meanwhile, Weaver’s aspirations for a head coaching gig hit a snag when the Arizona Cardinals picked Mike LaFleur instead — a twist that means no compensatory third-round picks for the Dolphins, a slight but not insignificant footnote in this shuffle. Ah, the ever-spinning chessboard that is NFL coaching moves… LEARN MORE

The Miami Dolphins are officially moving on from former defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver now that all of the head coach openings around the National Football League have been filled. Sean Duggan — former Green Bay Packers linebackers coach — will reportedly get the defensive coordinator gig in South Florida.

Duggan — just 32 years old — has been working with new Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley for a number of years, first at Ohio State, then at Boston College and most recently with Green Bay. Duggan — a former linebacker for Boston College for four seasons — amassed 115 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery during his playing days. He was also named a team captain while in college.

Hafley has already stated that he will call defensive plays for the Dolphins while he is the team’s head coach. Duggan will be tasked with teaching Hafley’s scheme to Miami’s defensive players.

Anthony Weaver was in contention for the Arizona Cardinals head coaching job before they hired Mike LaFleur for the position on Sunday. With Weaver missing out on all head coaching opportunities this cycle, the Dolphins will not be in line to receive the two third-round compensatory draft picks they would have received had Weaver been hired as a head coach in Arizona or any of the other teams he interviewed with.