Report: Miami Dolphins make first major addition to Anthony Weaver’s staff

The Miami Dolphins reportedly are continuing to revamp their defensive coaching staff in the wake of naming Anthony Weaver their new defensive coordinator.

“The Dolphins are hiring former Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Joe Barry to be their linebackers coach/run game coordinator, a league source told the Miami Herald, the first major addition to new coordinator Anthony Weaver’s staff,” wrote Daniel Oyefusi.

“Anthony Campanile, who spent the last four seasons as the Dolphins’ linebackers coach, will not be returning to staff, a source said. Campanile’s contract expired and he is pursuing other opportunities.”

Barry was fired by the Packers following the end of their season. He was their defensive coordinator under head coach Matt LaFleur for the past three seasons. LaFleur and Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel have a long history having served on the same NFL coaching staffs in the past.

Weaver is replacing Vic Fangio, who was defensive coordinator for the Dolphins this past season. He will be the third defensive coordinator in McDaniel’s three seasons as Miami head coach. Josh Boyer served in the role for the 2022 season before being replaced by Fangio.

Campanile reportedly interviewed for the position in each of the past two years and also was being considered by the New York Giants for their vacancy. New York instead hired Shane Bowen.

Weaver comes to the Dolphins from the Baltimore Ravens with 12 seasons of experience as an NFL assistant coach. He worked on the staffs of the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets from the AFC East, and he and McDaniel worked together with the Cleveland Browns. The former NFL defensive end reportedly was considered for head-coaching positions with the Atlanta Falcons and Washington Commanders that were recently filled.

Barry also previously was defensive coordinator for the Commanders and Detroit Lions. The 53-year-old will be entering his 30th year of coaching at the college or pro level in the 2024 campaign.

He will look to improve a Dolphins defense that didn’t quite reach the heights that were expected under Fangio, who reportedly was the highest-paid coordinator in the league. Dolphins safeties coach Joe Kasper reportedly is leaving to join Fangio on the Philadelphia Eagles.

Fangio’s defense did help the Dolphins to an 11-6 regular season record and back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time in more than 20 years. Barry also helped the Packers into the playoffs in two of his three seasons as their defensive coordinator.

However, neither team has been able to win a Super Bowl in quite some time, and Barry will attempt to help the Dolphins do so for the first time in more than 50 years.