Vance Joseph has drawn interest from multiple NFL teams that will have to wait to interview the Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator for their vacant head coach position.
Dolphins head coach Adam Gase acknowledged that a couple of teams have requested permission to interview Joseph, who is in his first year as a defensive coordinator in Miami.
Gase wouldn't identify the teams, but Joseph's name has been linked to the Denver Broncos, San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams openings. The Broncos, 49ers and Rams are three of six teams shopping for new head coaches. The Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars and San Diego Chargers are also looking for new head coaches.
"He's put those guys in the right positions. From where we've started and how we've grown through the years, guys being in and out, losing some key players, he's done a good job," Gase said when asked to evaluate Joseph's performance, which includes Miami overcoming injuries to key starters Reshad Jones, Koa Misi, Jelani Jenkins, Earl Mitchell and Isa Abdul-Quddus. "It's a great experience to be able to go through. You have an opportunity to do something that is one of 32 jobs. These are going to be great opportunities for him."
NFL rules prohibit teams from interviewing coaches whose teams are playing in the first round of the playoffs, so all interested teams will have to wait to speak to Joseph until at least after the Dolphins play Sunday's 1 p.m. game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
"Our players on defense should be proud because one of the reasons he's getting these opportunities is they've played well, and did some things people didn't expect us to do," Gase said of the Dolphins defense, which allowed a franchise record 6,122 yards this season and ranked 29th in total yards (382.6) per game and 18th in total points allowed (28.3). "It is a credit to him and our defensive coaches."
Joseph has called the shots on the Dolphins defense all season while Gase runs the offense.
Joseph's weekly press conferences are can't-miss because of how candid he's been speaking about his team and the Dolphins' players.
"We hold each other accountable, and have that mindset of doing your job, and doing it right every single time because of him," said safety Michael Thomas. "I commend him because I've learned so much, and grown so much this year. I'm not just a young guy out there flying around trying to make a play. I have a job to do and I need to do my job right every single time. His name is hot, and he earned that."
