Denver's Loss Is Miami's Gain: Dolphins Hire Mike Nolan As Coordinator

Anytime a successful coach abruptly leaves, there are questions. Usually unanswered ones. So it was with the news that Broncos defensive coordinator Mike Nolan was leaving Denver a year after transforming their defense into the 7th ranked unit after finishing 29th in total defense the previous season. Nolan quickly landed on his feet in Miami as the team's new defensive coordinator, but for Broncos fans, the question remains: why?

According to Ron Borges of the Boston Herald, the answer may have to do with Nolan's defensive philosophy, specifically blitzing too much in head coach Josh McDaniel's estimation. From the Herald:

[McDaniels] called in defensive coordinator Mike Nolan and told him in no uncertain terms his Broncos would not be blitzing next season like they did this year.

Does this pass the smell test? SB Nation's Mile High Report greets this latest story with the proper amount of skepticism, and concludes:

Either way, as much as we may need a reason for Nolan's departure, we may never get a good one.  He may have left Denver because he's an East Coast guy. He may have left because he wants to work with Bill Parcells.  Perhaps he left because he's a closet Jennifer Lopez fan.

That seems about right (well aside from that Jennifer Lopez bit). And indeed, the indomitable Adam Schefter confirms that Nolan's move had "nothing" to do with blitzing preferences, but merely that both McDaniels and Nolan had better options. McDaniels is largely expected to bring in ex-Pats defensive coordinator Dean Pees, who he presumably would be more comfortable with, while Nolan gets to strictly coach the 3-4 under his old boss, Bill Parcells.

The problem for McDaniels is that the media is latching onto a new narrative that he is inflexible and acts, in the words of Borges, like a "petulant child." The Jay Cutler trade, the Brandon Marshall preseason brouhaha, the late-season Marshall and Tony Scheffler benchings, and now Mike Nolan's precipitous departure all contribute to the image of McDaniels as difficult to get along with. Was he in wrong in any of these cases? Probably not. Cutler and Marshall both have...prickly personalities, and the Nolan situation may just be a matter of two coaches doing what's best for them personally. But with the Broncos' late-season collapse, these events are put into sharp relief as evidence that McDaniels isn't ready to lead a team.

As Mile High Report points out, the key for the team now is to get past recriminations and whys and get back to playing tough defense and actually winning games. Because as soon as McDaniels can get back to doing this, the sooner these types of questions will disappear.

As expected, Mike Nolan will join the Miami Dolphins as their defensive coordinator, according to Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer.

Nolan unexpectedly announced he was leaving the Broncos on Monday, after helping shepherd Denver to 7th in total defense, up from 29th the previous season. Mainly a 3-4 disciple, Nolan appears to be a good fit in Miami, especially considering he has experience working for Bill Parcells in 2000 with the Jets.

Nolan previously worked as the head coach of the 49ers, as well as the defensive coordinator for the Giants, Redskins, Jets and Ravens.

For more on the Dophins, check out SB Nation’s The Phinsider.

Mike Nolan is spending little time in the unemployment line. Shortly after resigning from the Broncos Monday night, it was reported that the Dolphins were already planning to interview him. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, before Nolan even left Denver, Miami had already put in a request to interview the defensive coordinator. Dolphins fans, particularly those at our team blog, The Phinsider, are understandably excited. 

Get him on a plane and down to Miami for tomorrow morning. And then hire him tomorrow afternoon.

It would be an ideal scenario for the Dolphins. Nolan loves running the 3-4. And in Denver last year, Nolan helped transform a defense that ranked 29th in the league in 2008 to the 7th best unit in the league this year. And this is despite the Broncos having just slightly above-average talent and having to learn a new defensive scheme. Not a bad job.

And, as they point out, Nolan has the "Parcells connection" -- Nolan was the defensive coordinator of the Jets in 2000 when Bill Parcells was the GM.   

As for Nolan's former team, the Broncos are already rumored to be interested in former Patriots' defensive coordinator, Dan Pees, who just stepped down last week. That move would reunite Pees and head coach Josh McDainels.