Mike Shula interviews with Dolphins

[fromthetop2]

If you were a Hollywood script writer, this chain of events would get thrown out of most soap opera's considerations for a plausible plot line. . .

 

Dolphins Coach Search Expands

 

Mike Shula, son of legendary coach Don Shula, Cam Cameron and Dom Capers are in the running to be head coach -- along with Jim Mora and Chan Gailey.

BY JEFF DARLINGTON

jdarlington@MiamiHerald.com

 

DALE ZANINE/US PRESSWIRE

 

So much for the short list.

 

After a week of public silence from team officials, Dolphins president Bryan Wiedmeier and CEO Joe Bailey made it clear Tuesday the seemingly shrinking group of finalists isn't that small at all.

 

Remember Dolphins defensive coordinator Dom Capers? And Chargers offensive coordinator Cam Cameron? Keep them on the list. And add one more familiar name, too.

 

Former Alabama coach Mike Shula already has met twice with the Dolphins about the position. Shula, who was replaced by Nick Saban at Alabama, is the son of Dolphins legend Don Shula.

 

''He's got a lot of his dad in him,'' Bailey said Tuesday. ``Very smart, very assertive, very firm. A very attractive potential person for us.''

 

According to a person familiar with the search, Mike Shula's second meeting, which took place at the team's facility, lasted four hours and entailed everything from the salary cap, potential assistants and what he might want to change.

 

Owner Wayne Huizenga, general manager Randy Mueller, Bailey and Wiedmeier were present during the lengthy discussions, indicating the interview was not merely a courtesy gesture to the Shula family.

 

''Everywhere he has coached, Mike has exhibited class, integrity and enthusiasm -- all critical ingredients to run a successful program,'' Don Shula said in a team-issued statement. ``He has a special feeling about the Dolphin organization.''

 

BIGGER LIST

 

So just as the search appeared to be dwindling to two finalists (former Falcons coach Jim Mora and Georgia Tech coach Chan Gailey), the timeline for a potential hire also appears to be lengthening just as the number of candidates does.

 

Wiedmeier maintained Tuesday that the team has never set a timeline, and it has no necessary reason to rush the decision.

 

''We're not fixed on a number,'' said Wiedmeier, noting the lack of other openings across the league has caused for less competition and less pressure to make a hire. ``The process is geared to getting the right person.

 

``If a candidate surfaced today that we felt was compelling and that was the right person, certainly we would consider that.''

 

For now, it doesn't appear that will be the case. But because the Chargers were eliminated from the playoffs Sunday, it allowed the Dolphins to reignite talks with Cameron. Wiedmeier said he has contacted Cameron's representatives since the loss.

 

''He's an outstanding football mind, probably one of the more innovative football minds in the game today,'' Wiedmeier said. ``We've got a great deal of respect for him.''

 

A second interview is expected at some point this week.

 

Wiedmeier also cleared up the misnomer that Capers is out of the hunt for the head coaching job. Despite a lucrative contract that would make Capers the NFL's highest-paid assistant, he still potentially could be hired for the top job.

 

By at least extending the offer to remain the defensive coordinator, it allows the team to maintain his services while also exploring all of its other head coaching options without a rush.

 

''Dom is someone who has been and is being considered as a candidate for the head coaching position,'' Wiedmeier said. ``He's an outstanding football coach, and we're very fortunate to have him in our organization.''

 

So even when the final days -- even the final hours -- appeared the be upon the Dolphins' hunt, the latest action at camp suggested something far different Tuesday.

 

When Huizenga rolled up to the team's facility, he noticed two local TV reporters staked out to catch any footage of potential developments. Huizenga cordially spun his gray Bentley back around and waved the cameramen to his car.

 

IN NO HURRY

 

No interviews, he said. But he wanted to advise them nothing would be happening this day. As Bailey ended his weekly radio show later that night, he offered a slightly more detailed idea as to where this search seems headed.

 

''Maybe by this time next week,'' Bailey said, ``we'll have a new coach.''

 

Miami Herald sportswriter Armando Salguero contributed to this report.

[fromthetop2]

This can't be more than a courtesy interview. . .

 

David Shula would make more sense.

 

If he DID get hired, how does it look to the Dolphins to have "Don's Boy" given the job; have another college coach try to give it a try in the Big Boy League; appear to some that it is a gig at Tuscaloosa; and fall in with Huizenga's pledge to spare no expense in getting the top man for the Dolphins?

With Wayne trying to keep Dom Capers and pay him top dollar to stay as D-CO, who wants this job if he can't name his own coaches?

 

And, how does he not blow up his relationship with Don Shula when he has to fire his son?

 

Wayne H. does not have a great track record in hiring people it appears.

[fromthetop2]

Looks like Cam Cameron of the Chargers (and former failed HC at Indiana) will be the new man.

 

I've enjoyed talking with myself on this thread