Former Dolphins Coaches Struggle to Find Next Opportunity
Former Miami Dolphins assistant coaches, Wes Welker and Danny Crossman, are facing uncertainty in their coaching careers. Welker, who previously held the position of wide receivers coach for the Dolphins, recently interviewed with the New England Patriots, as reported by MassLive. Despite his history with the Patriots as a player, Welker was overlooked by the new head coach, Mike Vrabel, who opted for Todd Downing instead. Downing, who previously served as Vrabel’s offensive coordinator during his tenure with the Tennessee Titans, was chosen over Welker.
Welker’s coaching impact was evident in the performance of players like Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, who achieved career highs in yardage and touchdowns under his guidance in 2023. Joining the Dolphins in 2022 to work alongside head coach Mike McDaniel, Welker aimed to elevate the team’s receiving corps. However, the Dolphins’ offensive output declined notably in 2024, partly due to quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s injuries. Both Hill and Waddle fell short of their previous year’s accomplishments, failing to surpass the 1,000-yard mark. This was a significant departure for Waddle, who had consistently achieved this milestone throughout his four-year career, and for Hill, who last missed the mark in 2019 due to injury.
During his time with the New England Patriots, Welker established himself as a standout player, amassing impressive statistics including 672 receptions, 4,459 yards, and 37 touchdowns over six seasons. His contributions led to multiple All-Pro selections and five Pro Bowl appearances during his Patriots tenure. Throughout his 12-year career, Welker accumulated a total of 903 catches, 9,924 yards, and 50 touchdowns, solidifying his legacy as a prolific receiver.
On the other hand, Danny Crossman, the former special teams coordinator for the Dolphins, remains without a coaching position since his departure from Miami. Crossman, along with Welker, was relieved of his duties by McDaniel. The Dolphins have since filled coaching vacancies with the appointment of Robert Prince as the new wide receivers coach and Craig Aukerman as the special teams coordinator. Despite several Dolphins assistants interviewing for various positions during the offseason, they were ultimately retained by the Miami organization.
Defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver pursued head coaching opportunities with the Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints, while QB coach/pass game coordinator Darrell Bevell sought the offensive coordinator role with the Las Vegas Raiders. Ryan Crow, the outside linebackers coach, interviewed for defensive coordinator positions with the New England Patriots and Dallas Cowboys. Additionally, Robert Prince interviewed for the offensive coordinator position with the New Orleans Saints shortly after joining the Dolphins.
This period of transition and uncertainty highlights the challenges faced by former Dolphins coaches Welker and Crossman as they navigate the competitive landscape of the NFL coaching realm.
