Joe Philbin has been named the tenth head coach in Dolphins team history, it was announced today by Chairman of the Board/Managing General Partner Stephen Ross and General Manager Jeff Ireland.
“We are thrilled to have Joe Philbin join the Miami Dolphins as our head coach,” stated Ross. “Joe has all the attributes that we were looking for when we started this process. Jeff Ireland and I felt Joe was the right choice to bring the Dolphins back to the success we enjoyed in the past. I know I join our fans in welcoming him as the newest member of the Dolphin family.”
Philbin joins Miami from the Green Bay Packers, where he originally joined the team on February 10, 2003 as assistant offensive line coach. He was promoted to tight ends/assistant offensive line on February 27, 2004 and was promoted by Head Coach Mike McCarthy to offensive line coach on January 17, 2006, and to offensive coordinator on January 15, 2007.
“I want to thank Steve Ross and Jeff Ireland for giving me the opportunity to become the head coach of one of the premier franchises in professional sports,” said Philbin. “I also want to thank the Green Bay Packers for all the support the organization has given me during my time there. The Dolphins have a strong nucleus to build around, and working with everyone in the organization, I know that together we will return the team to its winning tradition. I have seen how much the fans in South Florida care about the Dolphins, and that passion is one reason why I’m really excited to be here. I’m looking forward to their support, and I can’t wait to get started.”
In his five seasons at the helm of the Packers offensive unit, Philbin has directed both a productive and sound attack. League-wide, Green Bay has ranked in the top 10 in total yards and total points each for the past five years. They are one of only two teams in the league (New England) to accomplish that feat during this period. Green Bay’s point total (2,263) are third in the league over that span, trailing only New England (2,457) and New Orleans (2,283). During that five year span as offensive coordinator, 12 Packers have been selected to the Pro Bowl including four in 2011, WR Greg Jennings (2nd), FB John Kuhn (1st), QB Aaron Rodgers (2nd) and C Scott Wells (1st).
In 2011, the Packers set single-season franchise records for regular-season games won (15), total points (560), points per game (35.0), total points at home (321), points per game at home (40.1), touchdowns (64), net passing yards (4,924), fewest giveaways (14). The 2011 season marked the third straight campaign that the Packers averaged at least 250.0 net passing yards. Prior to 2009-11, Green Bay had never accomplished that feat in back-to-back seasons. In 2011, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers established himself as one of the elite passers in NFL history as he posted a 122.5 passer rating, the best single-season mark in NFL history. He set NFL season record with 13 games with 100 rating and 12 games with 110 rating. He also set franchise marks with 4,643 passing yards and 45 TDs while becoming the only quarterback in NFL history to pass for 4,000 yards and have six or fewer INTs.
Green Bay’s 6,482 total net yards in 2011 ranks No. 1 in franchise history, besting the 2004 total of 6,357 yards. The Packers’ 560 points on the season ranked No. 2 in NFL single-season annals behind only the 2007 New England Patriots (589). Green Bay also led the league in scoring for the first time since 1996. With 70 total TDs this past season, Additionally, Green Bay tied the 1984 Miami Dolphins for the second-most TDs in a season in NFL history. The two teams trail only the 2007 New England Patriots (75 TDs). The Packers’ turnover differential of plus-24 is tied for the No. 2 mark in franchise history behind only the plus-26 margin in 1943.
In 2010, en route to the franchises 13th world championship, the Packers finished with the No. 5 passing offense at 257.8 yards per contest. It was the first time in franchise history that the Packers averaged 250.0 net passing yards in back-to-back seasons. QB Aaron Rodgers finished in the top 10 in nearly every passing category, falling just 78 yards short of his third straight 4,000-yard season despite missing 1½ games due to a concussion. The Packers also posted two 45-point games during the regular season, the first time Green Bay had done so since 1983.
Green Bay has reached the playoffs in four of Philbin’s five seasons as offensive coordinator. In three of those appearances, the Packers set team postseason records for most points in a game, with 42 vs. Seattle in ’07, 45 at Arizona in ’09, and 48 at Atlanta in ’10.
In 2008-09, the Packers became the first team in league history to have a 4,000-yard passer (Rodgers), a 1,200-yard rusher (Ryan Grant) and two 1,000-yard receivers (Greg Jennings, Donald Driver) in back-to-back seasons. The 2009 unit was particularly prolific, compiling a then franchise-record 461 points and gaining 6,065 total net yards, which at the time was the No. 3 mark in team history. The ’09 offense also led the league in time of possession (33:03) and in fewest turnovers (16), both franchise bests.
In 2007, behind QB Brett Favre’s MVP-caliber season, the offense ranked second in the NFL in total yards. That ranking was Green Bay’s highest since 1983, while the 5,931 net yards and 435 total points both rank fourth on the franchise’s single-season list. Favre’s 4,155 yards passing that year combined with Rodgers’ 4,038 yards in 2008 marked the first time in league history a team had different 4,000-yard passers in consecutive years.
Philbin’s move from offensive line coach to offensive coordinator helped maintain continuity with the young offensive linemen and zone-blocking scheme. In 2006, Philbin oversaw a line that had three rookies – Daryn Colledge, Jason Spitz and Tony Moll – combine for 38 starts. Despite injuries that led to five different starting combinations, the Packers allowed only 24 sacks and improved their run production by a half-yard per carry.
In 2005, Philbin’s tight ends contributed to a passing game hampered by injuries. Green Bay joined Tennessee as one of only two NFL teams to have three TEs record at least 25 receptions each, as Philbin effectively blended Donald Lee into the offense despite the tight end’s late-preseason arrival.
Philbin’s group in 2004 contributed to an offense that racked up more total yards (6,357) and passing yards (4,449) than any team in franchise history. As proved in 2003, the line played an integral role in the NFL’s third-ranked offense, including team marks for first downs (354), completions (382) and fewest sacks (14). In 2003, Philbin’s teaching played a role in a rushing offense that improved from 12th the year before to third in the NFL, proving to be one of the best lines in team history.
With 28 years of experience, including 19 in the college ranks, Philbin came to Green Bay after four seasons as offensive line coach at Iowa (1999-2002).
Under Philbin’s stewardship, Iowa fielded one of college football’s finest offensive lines in 2002, helping the Hawkeyes finish second in the Big Ten Conference in rushing (214.2 yards per game). Philbin pupils Eric Steinbach, Robert Gallery and Bruce Nelson earned three of the five first-team All-Big Ten linemen spots, while Steinbach earned consensus All-America honors. Over the next two years, all three were selected in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft.
Prior to Iowa, Philbin served as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Harvard (1997-98). Under his direction in 1997, the Crimson established 15 offensive records. Five members of his offensive squad earned All-Ivy League honors, including Matt Birk, a 1998 draft choice and six-time Pro Bowl selection.
Philbin was offensive coordinator/offensive line coach at Northeastern University (1995-96) and offensive line coach at Ohio University (1994). He also spent four seasons (1990-93) at Allegheny College, highlighted by two undefeated regular seasons and an NCAA Division III national championship in 1990.
Born in Springfield, Mass., Philbin is a 1984 graduate of Washington & Jefferson College (Pa.), where he played tight end (1980). He also possesses a master’s degree in education from Tulane University (1986).
Joe Philbin’s Coaching Career
1984-85
Tulane University – Graduate assistant
1986-87
Worcester Tech – Offensive line
1988-89
U.S. Merchant Marine Academy – Offensive line
1990-93
Allegheny College – Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach
1994
Ohio University – Offensive Line Coach
1995-96
Northeastern University – Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach
1997-98
Harvard University – Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach
1999-2002
Iowa University – Offensive Line Coach
2003-11
Green Bay Packers – Assistant Offensive Line Coach (2003)
Tight Ends/Assistant Offensive Line Coach (2004-05)
Offensive Line Coach (2006)
Offensive Coordinator (2007-11)
January 27th, 2012 
Matt Loede 
Posted in 
