Jeff Fisher interviews with Dolphins
DAVIE, Fla. (AP) — Jeff Fisher landed at the Miami Dolphins’ complex on Tuesday. Now the question is whether the Dolphins will land Fisher.
A person familiar with the team’s coaching search said Fisher was interviewing for the job. The person confirmed the interview to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Dolphins hadn’t commented.
Fisher (pictured) arrived aboard owner Stephen Ross’ helicopter. He’s believed to be the Dolphins’ top choice, and Ross is willing to pay big money, but competition from other NFL teams may be fierce.
The Buccaneers and Rams fired their coaches on Monday, increasing to five the number of top vacancies. The Rams’ vice president and chief operating officer, Kevin Demoff, happens to be the son of Fisher’s agent, Marvin Demoff.
Fisher coached the Titans franchise for 17 years and led Tennessee to the 2000 Super Bowl. He stepped down a year ago as the league’s longest-tenured coach, saying he needed a break, and sat out the 2011 season.
The Dolphins fired Tony Sparano with three games to go in his fourth season as their coach. Interim coach Todd Bowles was interviewed on Monday.
Fisher has a career record of 142-120 (.542). He led his team to at least 12 wins four times. He coached more games for one franchise than all but six coaches, all Hall of Famers.
However, his most recent playoff victory came in January 2004. His most recent winning record was in 2008 when the Titans squandered the No. 1 seed in the AFC by losing in the divisional round.
The Dolphins (6-10) missed the playoffs for the ninth time in the past 10 years. The losing season was their third in a row, the franchise’s longest such stretch since the 1960s.