Glazer: Dolphins scoop up ex-Broncos defensive coordinator
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It took all of a half a day for Mike Nolan to find a new home.
The Miami Dolphins have hired Nolan, who
parted
ways with the Denver Broncos on Monday, as their new defensive
coordinator.
Nolan now joins a division headlined by former
protégé Rex Ryan, who coached under Nolan while the two
were in Baltimore together.
Nolan replaces Paul Pasqualoni, fired after the Miami defense
backslid in his second season. The Dolphins also announced the
hiring of former New York Giants assistant coach Bill Sheridan as
inside linebackers coach.
Nolan spent four seasons as head coach of the San Francisco
49ers, where he went 18-37 before being fired midway through the
2008 season. He has made five stops as an NFL defensive
coordinator: Denver, Baltimore (2002-04), the New York Jets (2000),
Washington (1997-99) and the New York Giants (1993-96).
Bill Parcells, the Dolphins' football czar, had the same job
with the Jets when Nolan worked there.
Nolan became available after the Dolphins' courtships of Al
Groh and Keith Butler failed to produce an agreement. Groh became
defensive coordinator at Georgia Tech, and Butler decided to remain
with the Pittsburgh Steelers as linebackers coach.
Miami coach Tony Sparano favors a 3-4 defense, and Nolan
converted the Broncos last year to that scheme. Denver improved to
seventh in the NFL in defense from 29th in 2008, but the team faded
badly and missed the postseason for a fourth consecutive year
In their final four games, the Broncos gave up 122 points.
Still, Nolan's departure was a surprise, and the reason for the
split with coach Josh McDaniels was unknown.
The Dolphins also missed the playoffs at 7-9. They ranked
22nd in defense and were prone to giving up big plays.
Miami allowed a franchise-record 140 points in the fourth
quarter, most in the NFL. And in the final three games, desperate
to stay in the playoff race, the Dolphins fell behind 24-6, 27-0
and 27-10.
Now that the Dolphins have a new defensive coordinator, they
can intensify their shopping for linebackers and a free safety.
Linebackers Jason Taylor and Joey Porter and nose tackle Jason
Ferguson, all in their 30s, are among those who might not be back
in 2010.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this
report.
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