Dolphins hire Ravens' Anthony Weaver to replace Vic Fangio as defensive coordinator
The Dolphins have hired Anthony Weaver as their defensive coordinator.
Weaver, 43, had been the Baltimore Ravens' associate head coach and defensive line coach. He's also served as the Texans' defensive coordinator.
The Ravens ranked first in the NFL in scoring defense and 6th in total defense this season. Weaver was a finalist for the Commanders' head coaching position that went to Dan Quinn last week.
“I am excited to add Anthony to our staff, not only for what he will bring to the Dolphins as a teacher and coach, but even more so who he is as a leader of men,” Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said in a statement. “He has a proven resume of success, built on his personal investment in his players. Most importantly, he shares our belief that player development is the cornerstone to both team building and sustained excellence. Through conversations with him and those who have worked with him, it became clear that we have aligned values in football philosophies and coaching.”
Weaver is said to have the "it factor" and to have earned the respect of players who "play hard for him."
Ravens coach John Harbaugh said this week: "If (Weaver) gets (the Dolphins' defensive coordinator job), I’ll be happy for him, if he takes the job ... Maybe I’m speaking out of turn, (and) maybe I’ll get in trouble, there’s a league rule against this, but he’ll be a great head coach. He didn’t get hired this cycle, and great coaches got hired, but someday, some people are going to look back, and they’re going to say, ‘We had a chance to hire Anthony Weaver.'"
The Dolphins are replacing veteran defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, who mutually departed to take a lateral move with Philadelphia.
Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald has left to become head coach of the Seahawks. Macdonald's defense is said to be complex and multiple, as he has used both zone and man coverages.
Like the Dolphins, the Ravens didn't blitz much last season. They were 25th in the league in blitz percentage, but first in sacks, with 60.
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Weaver was a linebacker for the Ravens and Texans. He's a Texas native and attended Notre Dame.
Other coaches reported to have interviewed for the position included Leslie Frazier (joined Seahawks), Bobby Babich (promoted and staying in Buffalo), former Chargers coach Brandon Staley and Chris Shula (promoted and staying with the Rams), and Dolphins assistants Anthony Campanile and Ryan Slowik.
Weaver began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at the University of Florida, under Urban Meyer.
Weaver has also coached under Romeo Crennel and Mike Vrabel.
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and X/Twitter @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Anthony Weaver poised to be next Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator
