With their 2023 season now in the rearview, the Miami Dolphins are interviewing candidates for their defensive coordinator role, which was left open after the team mutually parted ways with Vic Fangio.
To this point, there have been six known coaches who will interview for the job – Brandon Staley, Ryan Slowik, Anthony Campanile, Chris Kiffin, Anthony Weaver and Leslie Frazier.
Before Mike McDaniel, Chris Grier and Stephen Ross make a decision on who will run the defense, let’s take some time to get to know Frazier.
Coaching history
- Buffalo Bills assistant head coach/defensive coordinator (2020-22)
- Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator (2017-19)
- Baltimore Ravens secondary coach (2016)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator (2014-15)
- Minnesota Vikings head coach (2011-13)
- Minnesota Vikings interim head coach (2010)
- Minnesota Vikings asst. head coach/defensive coordinator (2008-10)
- Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator (2007)
- Indianapolis Colts asst. head coach/defensive backs coach (2006)
- Indianapolis Colts defensive assistant (2005)
- Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator (2003-04)
- Philadelphia Eagles defensive backs coach (1999-2002)
- Illinois defensive backs coach (1997-98)
- Trinity International head coach (1988-96)
Defensive rankings during his years as Bills DC
2017
- Scoring – 16th
- Total yards – 21st
- Turnovers per game – 10th
- Red-zone TD scoring – 16th
2018
- Scoring – 19th
- Total yards – 2nd
- Turnovers per game – 6th
- Red-zone TD scoring – 30th
2019
- Scoring – 2nd
- Total yards – 4th
- Turnovers per game – 10th
- Red-zone TD scoring – 14th
2020
- Scoring – 14th
- Total yards – 17th
- Turnovers per game – 4th
- Red-zone TD scoring – 20th
2021
- Scoring – 1st
- Total yards – 1st
- Turnovers per game – 4th
- Red-zone TD scoring – 10th
2022
- Scoring – 4th
- Total yards – 7th
- Turnovers per game – 4th
- Red-zone TD scoring – 2nd
Connection with Dolphins QB coach
Frazier shared a sideline with current Dolphins quarterback coach Darrell Bevell during their time together with the Minnesota Vikings. From 2007-10, Bevell was Minnesota’s offensive coordinator and Frazier was his defensive counterpart.
The latter took over as interim head coach in 2010 and kept Bevell in his role. However, when Frazier took over as full-time head coach in 2011, the offensive coordinator job went to Bill Musgrave, and Bevell joined the Seattle Seahawks.
Super Bowl experience
Frazier has experience in big games, as he’s won two Super Bowls in his four years in football.
His first came as a player. Frazier was a cornerback and returner for the famed 1985 Chicago Bears. Unfortunately, it was an injury in that Super Bowl win that cut his playing career short.
In just his seventh season coaching in the NFL, Frazier won another Super Bowl, this time as a defensive assistant for the Indianapolis Colts, who defeated the Chicago Bears.
Having someone who has played and coached on the grandest stage the game has to offer is invaluable.
