FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The Miami Dolphins already lost on their top choice.
Now, with time becoming a factor in the coaching search, they are facing more competition for their secondary candidates.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are making a run at Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer and Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin, who have both met with the Dolphins. Zimmer interviewed with the Buccaneers on Monday and the team has requested permission to speak with Philbin.
The Buccaneers are searching for a replacement for Raheem Morris, who was fired after three seasons. Last week, the Dolphins’ search took a turn for the worse when Jeff Fisher chose the St. Louis Rams. He was believed to have been Miami’s first option. Fisher kept both teams waiting before deciding on the Rams because they offered more control.
The move caused Miami to expand its search, which continued Monday when it interviewed Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy. The Broncos’ season ended with Saturday’s 45-10 loss to the New England Patriots in the second round of the AFC playoffs.
McCoy, 39, has been in Denver for the past three seasons. He was the mind behind an offense catered to quarterback Tim Tebow. While their offense wasn’t explosive, they did make the playoffs because of late-game offensive heroics. The Broncos ranked 25th in scoring, averaging 19.3 points.
McCoy’s best work, however, may have been during his eight seasons with the Carolina Panthers. As the quarterbacks coach and offensive assistant, he helped lead the Panthers to three playoff appearances. The Panthers won 12 games in 2008, his last season before heading to Denver.
McCoy has prior experience with Dolphins quarterback Matt Moore and receiver Brandon Marshall. He coached Moore in Carolina and worked with Marshall one season in Denver. The Jacksonville Jaguars asked to speak with McCoy before they hired Mike Mularkey.
None of the remaining candidates have head-coaching experience at the professional level, but owner Stephen Ross said last week he has no problem hiring someone “with something to prove.” Time could be against the Dolphins because the pool of candidates is shrinking. The Dolphins are among three teams (Tampa Bay and Oakland) with coaching openings.
McCoy is the sixth to interview with the Dolphins, joining interim coach Todd Bowles, Chicago Bears special teams coordinator Dave Toub, Philbin, Fisher and Zimmer. Bowles, who led the Dolphins to a 2-1 record after replacing Tony Sparano, has interviewed with the Raiders.
Other candidates emerging for the job include New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael and Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano. The Dolphins are free to speak with Carmichael after the Saints were eliminated from the playoffs by the San Francisco 49ers. They will likely have to wait for Pagano, whose team plays the Patriots in Sunday’s AFC title game.
Pagano had two stints at the University of Miami and was on Butch Davis’ staff at North Carolina in 2007 before moving to the NFL.
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