Dave Hyde: The fundamental trait Hafley understands and Dolphins coaches have lacked

Dave Hyde, South Florida Sun Sentinel on May 22, 2026

Published in Football

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

MIAMI — More than a changed offense, more than a new defense, more than introducing a super-sized offensive line, more than tryouts at edge rusher — more than anything to come out of the Miami Dolphins’ first May practices, nothing matters more than coach Jeff Hafley’s answer on quarterback Malik Willis’ leadership.

“My main focus is for him right now is to learn — learn the scheme, get to know the players and not overdo the whole leadership thing,’’ he said. “I think that’s my job — and our job right now, so he can focus on becoming the best quarterback and the best player and the best teammate he can be.”

Leadership and sports. It’s an overdone drumbeat regarding players, especially considering the recent Dolphins offseasons that branded Tyreek Hill, Tua Tagovailoa and Jalen Ramsey as leaders because the coach wanted them to be.

Here’s the first question that matters right now, today, on leadership for this new regime’s chances:

Can Hafley command a room?

Mike McDaniel couldn’t as head coach.

Can Hafley build the proper culture of a roster of disparate personalities?

Joe Philbin couldn’t as head coach.

Does Hafley understand everyone in the organization will watch how he handles his job and pushes his standards in a way that can swing seasons?

Adam Gase didn’t as head coach.

The only Dolphins coach who was a strong leader in owner Steve Ross’ long walk through the wilderness was Brian Flores. You can get sidetracked on other issues, some of which Flores has winding through the courts right now. But Flores is the only coach under Ross you could call a success considering the job he took. Coincidence?

So, let’s discuss this idea of leadership in the right way. It’s not with the players in a new regime. That’ll sort itself out starting with Willis at quarterback.

Hafley articulated the right idea: Leadership is about him right now. How’s he directing his coaching staff to install the new ways? How’s he running meeting and practices? What are his standards? How does he teach and correct?

“I’m really observing right now,’’ he said this week during padless team workouts this week. “I’m watching the coaches. I’m watching the players. I want everything run a certain way and I’m kind of taking notes and then having staff meetings and then having team meetings like I did this morning.

“I think now is a really good time to get things exactly how we want it, both from a coaches’ standpoint to a players’ standpoint, from how we practice.”

You’ve seen standards being set this offseason by general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, the latest being to reward running back De’Von Achane with a contract extension. On a team that let too many draft picks get away, the new regime didn’t let its first such candidate get away. That’s the carrot for today’s rookies.

Now it’s Hafley coming on stage in these OTA practices. Hall of Fame coach Jimmy Johnson is often asked by first-time coaches the difference between being an assistant and head coach.

“No one noticed you when you walked down the hall as an assistant,’’ he said. “Now everyone’s watching everything you do and what you say from the quarterback to the office assistant.”

Leaders always lead. That’s the idea here. But a repeating issue with Dolphins owner Steve Ross’ coaching hires over this team’s long walk through the wilderness is his fixation on the wrong traits. He talked of Philbin’s “organization” and “attention to detail.” Gase was a young, creative mind — “the kind of hire I make in business,’’ Ross said. Ditto for McDaniel.

None knew how to lead a team. It’s not easy. The previous coaches were good football minds in their own ways. But Philbin had no grasp of the team. Gase wasn’t respected as time went on to the point of players being constantly late to meetings.

Players weren’t late under Flores. They were again under McDaniel. If something so fundamental can’t be handled, how can a coach master the deeper complexities of the job?

Now it’s Hafley’s time. He brings a new staff with new Xs and Os. He has a redone roster full of one-year contracts that brings another set of challenges. But the first question of this next era is all about him: Can he lead?

May can’t answer that. Maybe this first year won’t fully. All you can say right now is his answer when asked about Willis’ leadership — “I think that’s my job right now” — is a good first step toward getting it right.

____