Dolphins fire offensive coordinator Lazor

  • Associated Press
  • Monday, November 30, 2015 10:23am
  • SportsSports

DAVIE, Fla. — Miami Dolphins interim coach Dan Campbell is running out of time to make a good impression, so he’s going with a new play-caller to jump-start his feeble offense.

Campbell fired offensive coordinator Bill Lazor on Monday and assigned Zac Taylor to be the primary play-caller. Taylor will remain quarterbacks coach.

The moves came after the Dolphins lost 38-20 to the New York Jets on Sunday. The Dolphins (4-7) were shut out in the first half and have scored fewer than 21 points in each of their past five games.

Lazor was in his second season with the Dolphins, while Taylor is in his fourth year.

“I just felt like it was time to move in another direction,” Campbell said. “Offensively we’ve been anemic for five weeks now. We’ve tried to do a number of different things, and it just didn’t work out.”

Lineup changes are possible, Campbell said.

The Dolphins rank 27th in the NFL in offensive points at 18.5 points per game, down from 22.6 last season. They’re next to last in third-down conversion at 28 percent.

Campbell hopes to return as coach next season, but the Dolphins are only 3-4 since he replaced Joe Philbin, who was fired Oct. 5. The Dolphins also changed defensive coordinators in October.

Taylor is a former Nebraska quarterback and the son-in-law of Mike Sherman, who coincidentally was fired as the Dolphins’ offensive coordinator two years ago and replaced by Lazor.

“Zac is a very bright guy,” Campbell said. “I have a lot of faith in Zac. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have done this.”

Lazor’s play-calling was second-guessed because of his emphasis on the pass. The Dolphins are averaging 4.6 yards per rush, seventh-best, but run the ball less than any other team in the league — only 33 percent of the time. On Sunday, they had nine rushing attempts, their fewest since 1986.

In addition, Lazor drew criticism for giving Ryan Tannehill little latitude in calling audibles.

Tannehill has regressed in his fourth season. His completion percentage, yards per attempt and interception rate are all worse than a year ago.

The Dolphins’ latest loss dropped them to 0-5 against AFC East teams, and they’re likely to miss the playoffs for the seventh consecutive year.

“It’s hugely disappointing,” Tannehill said following Sunday’s game. “I came in with such high expectations. I think our team came in with such high expectations, and to see this season go the way it’s been, it’s tough and it hurts. You look in that locker room and the talent we have, the guys that we have, and it hurts. There’s no way we should be sitting where we’re at, but we are, and that’s on our shoulders.”

Along with the play-calling shake-up, Phil McGeoghan was promoted to wide receivers coach. He has been assistant wide receivers coach since 2012.

Miami plays host to Baltimore on Sunday.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 8-17

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 8-17. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Silvertips’ playoff picture coming together as season hits final week

Everett is officially the Western Conference’s No. 3 seed and is likely heading into a matchup with Kelowna or Vancouver.

X
Prep roundup for Monday, March 18

Prep roundup for Monday, March 18: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Los Angeles Rams offensive guard Tremayne Anchrum (72) against the Denver Broncos during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Seahawks add to position of need, sign guard Tremayne Anchrum Jr.

The 25-year-old has played in 31 games, starting once, since being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 2020.

Everett Community College head coach Chet Hovde watches as the women's team practices on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 in Everett, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
EvCC coach Chet Hovde, who ‘lived for’ basketball, dies at 77

Coach Hovde graduated from Everett High School in 1965. He spent 33 years as the women’s basketball coach at the community college.

Jackson’s Ian Friedrichsen celebrates his goal with his teammates during the game against Bothell on Thursday, May 11, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep boys soccer: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines for this high school boys soccer season

Jackson’s Rachel Sysum is hugged by Leneyah Mitchell after hitting a home run during the game against Bothell on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep softball: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines to keep an eye on this high school softball season.

X
Prep roundup for Friday, March 15

Prep roundup for Friday, March 15: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Glacier Peak’s Samantha Christensen runs to home plate to celebrate her home run with her teammates during the game against Snohomish on Friday, March 15, 2024 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
GALLERY: Glacier Peak softball tops rival Snohomish

The Grizzlies prevail 9-5 in a clash of area powers.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

The Washington Wolfpack logo is revealed during the Everett AFL team unveiling at Tony V's Garage in Everett, Washington onThursday, Oct. 26, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett’s new arena football team to have 4 televised games

The NFL Network will broadcast 30 AFL games this season, including two Wolfpack home games.

Washington coach Mike Hopkins yells to the team during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against California, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Seattle. California won 82-80. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Looking back at Mike Hopkins’ turbulent tenure as UW men’s basketball coach

The departing Huskies coach had highs early, but the good times didn’t last long.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.