sa_butta
01-24-2006, 10:45 AM
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/football/13696336.htm
The Dolphins seem poised to add a second former NFL head coach -- Dom Capers -- as a top assistant.
According to an NFL source and ESPN report Monday, the former Houston Texans and Carolina Panthers head coach intends to accept an offer to become the Dolphins' top defensive coach.
An official announcement of the hiring cannot be made while several details finalizing the hiring are being worked out, according to the source.
Capers is negotiating an end to his current Texans contract and the framework of his Miami contract.
He has one year remaining on the Houston deal, and his Miami contract is expected to be for either two or three years. His Miami contract would not preclude him from seeking another head coaching opportunity if one arises.
Dolphins coach Nick Saban, in Mobile in advance of Senior Bowl practices this week, could not be reached for comment.
But the coach has made no secret of the fact he has a friendship with Capers and views his addition as strengthening the staff.
But Saban is in a delicate position because the Dolphins are adding Capers while not necessarily subtracting from their current coaching roster.
Last season, Miami split the defensive coordinator duties between Richard Smith and Will Muschamp. Smith (defensive coordinator) and Muschamp (assistant head coach/defense) are expected to be under Capers.
It is unclear if Smith and Muschamp will get different titles or pursue other opportunities.
All those details could be worked out in a few days, the source said, and Saban could make the hiring official as early as Wednesday, but no later than next week.
Barring a setback, Capers would join a staff that Sunday added former Buffalo Bills head coach Mike Mularkey as offensive coordinator.
Capers had interviewed for the Buffalo job that became vacant when Mularkey resigned.
Although Capers, 55, spoke with Saban several weeks ago, he initially had resisted taking the Miami job in hopes of landing another head coaching job.
But after the Bills hired Dick Jauron on Monday, it became clear Capers was unlikely to become a head coach this season.
The Texans fired him after they posted a 2-14 season. It marked the end of a four-season stint in which the Texans were 18-46.
Capers' teams had a 31-35 record during his four seasons (1995-98) with Carolina.
Under Capers, the Dolphins might continue to run the 3-4 scheme with liberal zone blitzing, which he has employed for years.
Capers and Saban first met when the two were assistants at Kent State University in the early 1970s.
The Dolphins seem poised to add a second former NFL head coach -- Dom Capers -- as a top assistant.
According to an NFL source and ESPN report Monday, the former Houston Texans and Carolina Panthers head coach intends to accept an offer to become the Dolphins' top defensive coach.
An official announcement of the hiring cannot be made while several details finalizing the hiring are being worked out, according to the source.
Capers is negotiating an end to his current Texans contract and the framework of his Miami contract.
He has one year remaining on the Houston deal, and his Miami contract is expected to be for either two or three years. His Miami contract would not preclude him from seeking another head coaching opportunity if one arises.
Dolphins coach Nick Saban, in Mobile in advance of Senior Bowl practices this week, could not be reached for comment.
But the coach has made no secret of the fact he has a friendship with Capers and views his addition as strengthening the staff.
But Saban is in a delicate position because the Dolphins are adding Capers while not necessarily subtracting from their current coaching roster.
Last season, Miami split the defensive coordinator duties between Richard Smith and Will Muschamp. Smith (defensive coordinator) and Muschamp (assistant head coach/defense) are expected to be under Capers.
It is unclear if Smith and Muschamp will get different titles or pursue other opportunities.
All those details could be worked out in a few days, the source said, and Saban could make the hiring official as early as Wednesday, but no later than next week.
Barring a setback, Capers would join a staff that Sunday added former Buffalo Bills head coach Mike Mularkey as offensive coordinator.
Capers had interviewed for the Buffalo job that became vacant when Mularkey resigned.
Although Capers, 55, spoke with Saban several weeks ago, he initially had resisted taking the Miami job in hopes of landing another head coaching job.
But after the Bills hired Dick Jauron on Monday, it became clear Capers was unlikely to become a head coach this season.
The Texans fired him after they posted a 2-14 season. It marked the end of a four-season stint in which the Texans were 18-46.
Capers' teams had a 31-35 record during his four seasons (1995-98) with Carolina.
Under Capers, the Dolphins might continue to run the 3-4 scheme with liberal zone blitzing, which he has employed for years.
Capers and Saban first met when the two were assistants at Kent State University in the early 1970s.