The Miami Dolphins’ decision to hire Craig Aukerman as their special teams coordinator is a strategic move aimed at enhancing the team’s performance in the third phase of the game. Aukerman brings a wealth of experience from his tenure in the National Football League (NFL), where he has held various coaching positions, including special teams coordinator roles with the San Diego Chargers, Tennessee Titans, and most recently, the Tennessee Titans.
Coaching Career Overview
Aukerman began his coaching career at the collegiate level, serving as a defensive assistant at the University of Findlay in 2000. He then moved to the University of Miami (Ohio) and Western Kentucky University before returning to Miami (Ohio) and concluding his college coaching stint at Kent State University in 2009. In 2010, he transitioned to the NFL as a defensive assistant with the Denver Broncos. The following year, he joined the Jacksonville Jaguars as a defensive assistant, and in 2012, he shifted to the role of assistant special teams coach. Aukerman continued to build his special teams expertise with the San Diego Chargers, where he served as an assistant special teams coach from 2013 to 2015 and was promoted to special teams coordinator in 2016. In 2017, he joined the Tennessee Titans as an assistant special teams coach and was elevated to special teams coordinator in 2018. His tenure with the Titans concluded in December 2023, when he was dismissed following a series of special teams mishaps, including two blocked punts in a single game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Assessment of the Hiring Decision
The Dolphins’ selection of Aukerman is a calculated decision, considering his extensive background in special teams coaching. His previous roles have equipped him with the skills necessary to develop and implement effective special teams strategies. However, his recent dismissal from the Titans raises questions about his ability to adapt and rectify issues within special teams units. The Dolphins will need to assess whether Aukerman can address and improve the specific challenges faced by their special teams, ensuring that past shortcomings do not recur.