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1. He develops talent: Anarumo spent most of his career coaching and developing defensive backs. Safety Reshad Jones and cornerback Brent Grimes, who made it to back-to-back Pro Bowls in 2013 and 2014, thrived while playing for Anarumo. He also coached a pair of future NFL safeties at the collegiate level, Bernard Pollard at Purdue and Chris Crocker at Marshall. 2. He's on same page with his new boss: Dolphins interim coach Dan Campbell said Thursday that he "sees eye-to-eye" with Anarumo on the way they want to play defense. Campbell and Anarumo said it's too early to elaborate publicly, but chances are the Dolphins will be more aggressive and take more chances with their play-calling. Miami has just one sack in four games and didn't do enough to confuse and rattle quarterbacks. Anarumo said there will be some scheme changes and better positioning their players. "It's kind of a combination of both," Anarumo said. "I think the good thing for us is that we are in a bye week. So we will get into looking at everything we're doing and communicating with the guys."
3. Anarumo's secondary wasn't a problem: Even during their awful 1-3 start this year, the Dolphins are allowing 239 passing yards per game. That's middle of the pack -- No. 15 in the NFL. This is fairly impressive considering Miami has no pass rush and the offense cannot stay on the field. Last season Miami was ranked No. 6 in passing defense (222.3 yards per game).
4. He has coached at every level: In addition to serving his fourth year with the Dolphins, Anarumo also spent eight seasons with Purdue, three seasons at Marshall and six seasons at Harvard at the collegiate level. Anarumo also was a graduate assistant at Syracuse and had two stints at the United States Merchant Marine Academy. He began his coaching career at the high-school level while in college. Anarumo was the head coach of the junior varsity team at Susan Wagner High in Staten Island, New York, while he attended Wagner college.
5. Anarumo had a strong connection to Joe Philbin: This opportunity has to be bittersweet for Anarumo. Part of the reason he received this promotion is due to the firing of former head coach Joe Philbin and the subsequent fallout on the coaching staff. Anarumo first met Philbin 20 years ago at Harvard University. Anarumo was the assistant head coach and Philbin coached the offensive line. The two went on their separate coaching paths but remained friends, and Philbin hired Anarumo four years ago in Miami and gave him his first NFL opportunity.
3. Anarumo's secondary wasn't a problem: Even during their awful 1-3 start this year, the Dolphins are allowing 239 passing yards per game. That's middle of the pack -- No. 15 in the NFL. This is fairly impressive considering Miami has no pass rush and the offense cannot stay on the field. Last season Miami was ranked No. 6 in passing defense (222.3 yards per game).
4. He has coached at every level: In addition to serving his fourth year with the Dolphins, Anarumo also spent eight seasons with Purdue, three seasons at Marshall and six seasons at Harvard at the collegiate level. Anarumo also was a graduate assistant at Syracuse and had two stints at the United States Merchant Marine Academy. He began his coaching career at the high-school level while in college. Anarumo was the head coach of the junior varsity team at Susan Wagner High in Staten Island, New York, while he attended Wagner college.
5. Anarumo had a strong connection to Joe Philbin: This opportunity has to be bittersweet for Anarumo. Part of the reason he received this promotion is due to the firing of former head coach Joe Philbin and the subsequent fallout on the coaching staff. Anarumo first met Philbin 20 years ago at Harvard University. Anarumo was the assistant head coach and Philbin coached the offensive line. The two went on their separate coaching paths but remained friends, and Philbin hired Anarumo four years ago in Miami and gave him his first NFL opportunity.
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