Texans Linebacker Coach Chris Kiffin To Interview For Miami Dolphins Defensive Coordinator Job

Another Houston Texans coach could be on the move this offseason.

According to reports, the Miami Dolphins plan to interview Texans linebackers coach Chris Kiffin on Friday for their vacant defensive coordinator job.

Former defensive coordinator Vic Fangio recently parted ways with Miami after one season to join the Philadelphia Eagles for the same position.

Kiffin, the younger brother of Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin, joined the Texans under first-year coach DeMeco Ryans from the Cleveland Browns. The son of longtime NFL defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, he has spent the last six seasons in the league with stops in San Francisco and Cleveland.

Chris Kiffin also spent over a decade at the collegiate level, making stops at Idaho, Nebraska, USC, Ole Miss, Arkansas State, and Floria Atlantic. Under Lane Kiffin, Chris Kiffin served as the Owls' defensive coordinator in 2017.

Houston's linebacker play was one of its better defensive units, headlined by second-year standout Christian Harris. The 2022 third-round pick out of Alabama steadily improved throughout the season, becoming a fixture in the Texans' front seven, especially in pass coverage.

Harris, who finished the regular season with 101 total tackles and two sacks, came in clutch in the wild-card round victory over the Cleveland Browns with a 38-yard interception returned for a touchdown in the third quarter against Joe Flacco.

Blake Cashman, a veteran linebacker known for his special teams efforts, posted a career-high 106 tackles and five pass breakups. Denzel Perryman and rookie Henry To'oTo'o also contributed in run support that improved from the league's worst to a top-10 finish.

Two offensive coaches are currently up for potential promotions following an AFC South-clinching season. Offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik is a finalist for the Washington Commanders head coach opening after helping C.J. Stroud become a rising star during his rookie season.

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Quarterback coach Jerrod Johnson, who began working with Stroud at the Elite 11 camps during high school, has interviewed for several coordinator openings, including the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles. Johnson, a former quarterback at Texas A&M, is expected to interview for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers coordinator opening for a second time later his week.

Johnson recently met with the New Orleans Saints for the second time in place of their offensive coordinator position.