Dolphins hire DeGuglielmo to replace O-line coach Mike Maser

[DolFan619]

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/palmbeach/miamidolphins/entries/2009/01/15/dolphins_hire_deguglielmo_to_r.html

Dolphins hire DeGuglielmo to replace O-line coach Mike Maser

By Edgar Thompson | Thursday, January 15, 2009, 10:56 AM

Tony Sparano didn’t waste any time replacing offensive line coach Mike Maser, who was fired Wednesday.

Sparano turned to his coaching roots to hire New York Giants assistant offensive line coach Dave DeGuglielmo.

DeGuglielmo, who spent the last five seasons with the Giants, is already in South Florida with the team, an NFL source confirmed.

The Dolphins’ interest in DeGuglielmo was first reported by The Miami Herald. The Newark-Star Ledger reported his hiring in today’s editions.

DeGuglielmo played at Boston University when Sparano was an assistant there. DeGuglielmo became a graduate assistant under Tom Coughlin at Boston College for two seasons, and then joined the BU staff in 1993 as an offensive line coach when Sparano was the offensive coordinator.

The Terriers finished 11-0 that season.

DeGuglielmo also was the offensive line coach at Connecticut, while Sparano coached the University of New Haven.

Maser, 61, was the first assistant coach hired by Tony Sparano, who also worked with Maser for one season in Jacksonville (2002).

Maser’s firing may have resulted in part from the inconsistency of the Dolphins rushing offense. Miami finished 11th in the NFL with 118.6 rushing yards a game.

But the running back tandem of Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams was not as productive as it was expected to be.

Brown earned his first Pro Bowl trip and scored a career-high 10 TDs, but he rushed for more than 50 yards only seven times in 16 games. Williams exceeded 50 yards only three times.

Meanwhile, the Giants run game averaged an NFL-high with 157.4 rushing yards.

Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward became just the fourth set of running backs on the same team to rush for 1000 yards in a season.

[YoFuggedaboutit]

Good choice.  Apparently they've had their eye on this guy for quite some time.

[DolFan619]

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/dolphins_in_depth/2009/01/dolphins-fire-o.html

Dolphins fire line coach Maser; hire replacement

The Miami Dolphins are confirming they have fired offensive line coach Mike Maser. Giants assistant offensive line coach Dave DeGuglielmo has been offered the position and accepted but there are details about his contract still being worked out.

That puts to bed the speculation coach Tony Sparano would take over as the team's offensive line coach.

Sparano will announce DeGuglielmo's hiring if and when the contract details are resolved. The new coach is expected to bring to Miami a tough approach to offensive line play, one that more closely fits what Sparano wants.

Maser was hired on January 18, 2008 after 34 years of coaching experience and 13 as an offensive line coach in the NFL. Maser came to Miami after working with offensive coordinator Dan Henning at the the Carolina Panthers and with Sparano himself with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Maser was Jacksonville's OL coach in 2002 when Sparano coached the tight ends.

The Miami offensive line was a good-news, bad-news story this season. While offensive tackles Jake Long and Vernon Carey either met or exceed the expectations of Bill Parcells and Sparano in various categories, the interior of the line was troubled throughout the season.

Center Samson Satele seemed to regress after a good rookie season. And both guard spots were a weak point after injuries befell starters Justin Smiley and Donald Thomas. Another disappointment for the offensive line was the development -- or lack thereof -- of rookie guard Shawn Murphy. Murphy was the team's fourth-round draft pick but was inactive every game this season despite a need for upgrade at his position.

The Dolphins gave no reason for Maser's firing, but Sparano was clearly not happy with the performance of his guards throughout the season.

It is not known if any other Dolphins assistant is in danger of losing his job, although keeping the remainder of the staff doesn't mean there won't be further changes. Assistant head coach Todd Bowles is a head coach candidate in Detroit and is scheduled to interview in St. Louis. Defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni has been tied to speculation he might be interviewed for the head job in Kansas City.

[YoFuggedaboutit]

Good to have you back putting up the news articles, 619.  Keep up the great work!!!!

[DolFan619]

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/sfl-dolphinsoline09,0,4218584.story

Dolphins hire new o-line coach

Harvey Fialkov
South Florida Sun-Sentinel

1:36 PM EST, January 15, 2009

The Dolphins wasted no time in finding a replacement for offensive line coach Mike Maser, who was fired Wednesday. Giants assistant offensive line coach Dave DeGuglielmo has accepted the position with the Dolphins, according to an unconfirmed report in The Newark Star-Ledger.

The Dolphins haven't confirmed the hiring yet.

DeGuglielmo was the offensive line coach at Boston University in 1993 when Dolphins coach Tony Sparano was the offensive coordinator and the Terriers were 11-0. He then was the offensive line coach at the University of Connecticut when Sparano was the head coach at the University of New Haven from 1997-98.

DeGuglielmo, an assistant under Giants offensive line coach Pat Flaherty since 2005, helps coach a unit that led New York to a Super Bowl title last year and paved the way for the top-ranked rushing game in the NFL this season with both Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward registering 1000-yard plus seasons.

[Frimp]

This is awesome. The Giants have the type of offense we need here...devastating running attack with a good passing game.

[ochizon]

Brown earned his first Pro Bowl trip and scored a career-high 10 TDs, but he rushed for more than 50 yards only seven times in 16 games. Williams exceeded 50 yards only three times.

oh, snap, dont lete tepop see that stat!

[Rick]

Sounds like a very good move to me. 

[YoFuggedaboutit]

oh, snap, dont let SpongeBob Tepop see that stat!

I edited your post there Ochizon.  I hope you don't mind.