Through the changes on the Miami Dolphins’ coaching staff this offseason, the team is now bound to retain two key defensive assistants from the previous staff.
The Dolphins, under new coach Jeff Hafley, are bringing back Joe Barry, who was linebackers coach and defensive run game coordinator the past two seasons, and defensive line coach Austin Clark, according to a league source.
Clark is back in the same role, and Barry’s title isn’t entirely settled yet, according to a source, as the Dolphins are also hiring former Notre Dame linebackers coach Al Washington.
Barry, 55, offers an experienced voice on the defensive side of the coaching staff under Hafley, who will call defensive plays, and new, young defensive coordinator Sean Duggan. Barry was Hafley’s predecessor as Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator from 2021 through 2023 before joining Miami for the past two seasons under former coach Mike McDaniel and defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver. He has also had two other stints as an NFL defensive coordinator with Washington and Tampa Bay, in addition to being a longtime linebackers coach at the college and professional levels.
Under Barry’s tutelage, Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks has had a stellar two seasons with the team, including leading the league in tackles in 2025.
Clark remains with Miami under a third different head coach. He was originally brought on board on Brian Flores’ staff in 2020 as outside linebackers coach. The next season, he transitioned to his current role of leading the defensive line. He remained with that title for McDaniel’s four seasons at the helm, through three different defensive coordinators over those campaigns.
In Miami, Clark has coached the likes of Christian Wilkins, Zach Sieler, Calais Campbell and others. His retention means the young defensive tackle trio of Kenneth Grant, Jordan Phillips and Zeek Biggers keeps the position coach teaching those players their technique as rookies last season.
Barry and Clark represent the second and third coaches from McDaniel’s 2025 staff who remain with the team with Hafley. Bobby Slowik was promoted from senior passing game coordinator to offensive coordinator more than a week ago.
