Miami Dolphins quarterbacks coach Darrell Bevell talks to reporters during rookie minicamp at Baptist Health Training Complex. Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Dolphins assistant gaining traction in head coaching discussions

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 11/24/22

Tua Tagovailoa went from having one foot out the door in Miami to being one of, if not the top quarterback in the AFC this season, and quarterbacks coach/passing game coordinator Darrell Bevell is largely to thank.

Tagovailoa’s renaissance is a large reason why Bevell could be in high demand for teams potentially looking for a new head coach in 2023, according to CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson.

As the coaching carousel draws near, 1 name to watch for that’s gaining momentum is #Dolphins QB coach/ Pass Game Coordinator Darrell Bevell given his success w/ Tua this season. Bevell was previously Interim HC with the Lions in 2020 & Jaguars in 2021 + (2) SB runs w/ Seattle.
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) November 21, 2022

Under Bevell’s guidance, Tagovailoa leads the NFL in passer rating (118.4), and he ranks second in completion percentage (71), fourth in passing yards per game (283.1), and fifth in touchdown passes (18).

The third-year QB has surpassed his touchdown total from last season in five fewer games, and he’s averaging nearly 80 more yards passing per game this season than in 2021.

Teams that could potentially be looking for a new head coach next season include the Denver Broncos, Arizona Cardinals, Houston Texans, and Los Angeles Chargers.

Bevell joined the Dolphins this season after a one-year stint with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2021 as offensive coordinator then as interim head coach after Urban Meyer was fired.

The same thing happened to Bevell the previous year with the Detroit Lions as he went from OC to interim head coach after Detroit fired Matt Patricia. The 52-year-old has a 2-7 record as a head coach.

Bevell has 15 years of experience as an offensive coordinator with the Lions, Jaguars, Minnesota Vikings, and Seattle Seahawks, and he also had a stint as a quarterbacks coach with the Green Bay Packers from 2003-2005.

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