The Miami Dolphins have reportedly secured their new special teams coordinator, and it\u2019s someone with a solid track record in the NFL. The Dolphins are set to bring in Craig Aukerman, previously of the Tennessee Titans, to fill the vacancy after Danny Crossman was let go following six seasons. Aukerman comes with a deep resume, having spent over five seasons leading the Titans\u2019 special teams unit, a tenure that recently concluded after a tough outing against the Indianapolis Colts led to his dismissal.<\/p>\n
In that particular game, the Titans faced special teams challenges, including two blocked punts\u2014one causing a devastating knee injury to punter Ryan Stonehouse\u2014and a missed extra-point in an overtime loss. Despite that rough day, Aukerman\u2019s overall run with the Titans was marked by middle-of-the-pack performances, with the team ranking annually between 14th and 24th in Rick Gosselin\u2019s comprehensive special teams rankings over his tenure. Aukerman\u2019s best season with the Titans came in 2022, although 2020 was a more challenging year, and they landed 21st in 2023.<\/p>\n
Interestingly, before signing with Miami, Aukerman had interviewed for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers\u2019 special teams coordinator position in early 2024, though that role ultimately went to Thomas McGaughey. Prior to his time in Tennessee, he also served as the special teams coordinator for the San Diego Chargers back in 2016, and his NFL coaching journey started with the Denver Broncos in 2010.<\/p>\n
Aukerman\u2019s background in football runs deep; he showcased his skills as a wide receiver and defensive back during his playing days at the University of Findlay in Ohio from 1995 to 1998.<\/p>\n
This decision by the Dolphins clearly closes the chapter on any potential return for Darren Rizzi, who was a well-regarded special teams coordinator for Miami from 2010 to 2018 before moving on to the New Orleans Saints. Rizzi had left following a candidacy for the Dolphins\u2019 head coach position, eventually filled by Brian Flores.<\/p>\n
The Dolphins have shown a measure of consistency in their special teams leadership over the years, with both Crossman and Rizzi each serving notable tenures, along with Keith Armstrong\u2019s seven-year run from 2001 to 2007. This latest hire indicates the Dolphins are seeking to maintain, if not improve, upon that stability in the seasons to come.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Miami Dolphins have reportedly secured their new special teams coordinator, and it\u2019s someone with a solid track record in the NFL. The Dolphins are set to… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":22714,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22713","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hot-news","category-nfl"],"yoast_head":"\n