MIAMI (AP) — The new Miami Dolphins coach says talent is not their problem.
Dan Campbell thinks the Dolphins need a more aggressive, intense, competitive environment, and he plans to provide it.
Campbell was promoted Monday from his job as an assistant when the Dolphins fired Joe Philbin four games into his fourth season. Campbell’s only coaching experience is with the Dolphins, who hired him as an intern in 2010, and he has been their tight ends coach since 2011.
“This is my sixth season with the Miami Dolphins, and this is the most talented roster we have had in those six years,” Campbell said. “We have plenty of talent. I feel there’s a lot more we can get out of these guys.”
Campbell, a former NFL tight end, said the prospect of replacing Philbin and becoming a head coach was “a little surreal.” But he expects to retain the job beyond his interim stint.
“I’m not here just to finish the season up,” Campbell said. “That’s not my plan. We’re coming here to win games. It’s still early. We have time to turn everything around. But we can’t wait.”
Campbell said the Dolphins (1-3) need to show more aggressiveness, stopping just short of dirty play, and he looks forward to breaking up a few fights in practice. His passionate, fiery demeanor is a big change from the even-keel Philbin.
“My vision is a bunch of hard-nosed guys that go out every day for practice and are ultra-competitive,” Campbell said. “These are guys that are scratching and clawing, very intense, very heated, and on Sunday it’s that same team.
“We are going to play by the rules, but we’re going to be much more aggressive. There’s always that line: ‘This is OK to do, and this is dirty.’ I’m not saying we want dirty players, but we’re going to walk that line. I don’t want us playing on our heels. I want us playing on our toes.”
Owner Stephen Ross fired Philbin one day after a flop on an international stage helped seal his fate. The Dolphins lost their third game in a row Sunday with their fourth consecutive lackluster performance, a 27-14 loss to the archrival New York Jets in London.
Few will accuse Ross of impatience. He ignored calls to fire Philbin in December after the team faded to finish 8-8 for a second successive season. Doubts only grew this season regarding Philbin’s ability to motivate players.
“I don’t believe we were performing at the potential we have,” Ross said. “My goal is still to make the playoffs. I felt this was the best opportunity we have — to pick Dan Campbell as our head coach.”
Campbell lists Sean Payton and Bill Parcells as mentors. His relationship with Payton dates to 1999, when Campbell was drafted by the New York Giants and Payton was on their coaching staff.
“Dan is a fantastic guy, great worker … someone that is tough, strong — I can’t say enough good things,” said Payton, now coach of the New Orleans Saints. “The difficult part of it always is when it’s happening in midseason. But Dan’s someone I know well, and know that he’ll handle that as best he can.”
Campbell said he wasn’t ready to make any decisions regarding possible changes in the rest of the coaching staff, which includes embattled defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle. Miami has a bye this week and next plays at Tennessee on Oct. 18.
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AP Sports Writer Brett Martel in New Orleans contributed to this report.
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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP_NFL
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