With Jeff Fisher reportedly leaning toward taking the St. Louis Rams coaching job, the Dolphins are planning to book interviews with other coaches in the coming days.
One of those candidates is Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, who has a very good relationship with Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland from their time together in Dallas.
As of Sunday afternoon, Fisher had not informed the Dolphins of his intentions. But the Dolphins — who were optimistic they would land Fisher after he visited Tuesday — were no longer optimistic Sunday. One official who spoke to the Dolphins said the team expects Fisher to go to the Rams.
Fox’s Jay Glazer said he would be “shocked” if Fisher doesn’t pick the Rams and a deal with St. Louis could be done within 24 to 48 hours.
Fisher visited Rams headquarters Sunday and was expected to meet with quarterback Sam Bradford. The Rams apparently are appealing to Fisher because of Bradford and because they have a high draft pick (second overall). The Dolphins’ draft position — eighth or ninth — will be determined by a coin toss with Carolina next month.
Glazer said the Dolphins are expected to ask permission to interview Zimmer, who has spent the past 12 years as an NFL defensive coordinator — seven with Dallas, one with Atlanta and the past four with Cincinnati. His defense ranked 15th last season and seventh this season.
But Zimmer’s defense didn’t play well Saturday in a 31-10 playoff loss to Houston, which was led by rookie quarterback T.J. Yates.
The Dolphins also plan to speak with Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey, whose offense played poorly in Sunday’s 24-2 playoff loss to the Giants.
The Dolphins have conducted four interviews (interim coach Todd Bowles, Fisher, Bears special-teams coach Dave Toub and Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin). Philbin reportedly made a good impression on the Dolphins during his interview Friday and Saturday.
Zimmer, 55, has never been a head coach, and neither has Toub or Philbin. Mularkey was 14-18 in two years as Buffalo’s coach (2004-05).
