Former Ohio State defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley is now an NFL head coach.
The Miami Dolphins hired the former Ohio State assistant as their new head coach on Monday, according to multiple reports.
ESPN Sources: Dolphins are hiring former Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley as their head coach. Hafley completed his second interview with the team today and will be their new head coach. pic.twitter.com/SCXhKvQsO7
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 19, 2026
Hafley becomes an NFL head coach for the first time after two seasons as the Green Bay Packers’ defensive coordinator.
Hafley was Ohio State’s co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach for one season in 2019, Ryan Day’s first season as Ohio State’s head coach. As the Buckeyes’ defensive play caller, Hafley coached a defense that led the nation with only 259.7 yards allowed per game that season.
Hafley left Ohio State after the 2019 season to become the head coach at Boston College, where he spent four years before leaving that post to join the NFL ranks, where he had previously coached for seven years before joining the Buckeyes’ staff.
Hafley becomes the second active NFL head coach who was formerly an Ohio State assistant coach. New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel, who also played for the Buckeyes from 1993-96, started his coaching career as a linebackers and defensive line coach for Ohio State from 2011-13 before leaving to become the Houston Texans’ linebackers coach in 2014.
