In one of the most eventful offseasons in team history, perhaps the most significant move has become somewhat of an after thought. Yes, the Dolphins brought in a playmaking inside linebacker in Karlos Dansby, and traded for one of the league’s best receivers in Brandon Marshall, but if Mike Nolan can have the kind of impact he had on the Denver Broncos a year ago, turning what was a 29th ranked defense into the 7th overall unit in 09′, no one will question how valuable a pickup he was this January.
That turnaround has given Dolfans a reason to get their hopes up for the new-look 2010 defense, but what about Nolan’s previous tenures? Let’s take a look back at all of his defensive coordinator gigs, see if last season was consistent with the rest of his career, and try and get a feel for how much improvement to expect on the defensive side of the ball for Miami.
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New York Giants DC (1993-1996)
Before Nolan: 1992 NYG
| Year | Pts. Gm. (Rank) |
| 1992 | 22.9 PPG (26th) |
With Nolan: 1993-1996 NYG
| Year | Pts Gm. (Rank) |
| 1993 | 12.8 PPG (1st) |
| 1994 | 19.1 PPG (8th) |
| 1995 | 21.2 PPG (16th) |
| 1996 | 18.6 PPG (10th) |
Washington Redskins DC (1997-1999)
Before Nolan: 1996 Redskins
| Year | Pts. Gm (Rank) |
| 1996 | 19.5 PPG (13th) |
With Nolan: 1997-1999 Redskins
| Year | Pts. Gm (Rank) |
| 1997 | 18.1 PPG (8th) |
| 1998 | 26.3 PPG (28th) |
| 1999 | 23.6 PPG (24th) |
New York Jets DC (2000)
Before Nolan: 1999 NYJ
| Year | Pts. Gm (Rank) |
| 1999 | 19.3 PPG (9th) |
With Nolan: 2000 NYJ
| Year | Pts. Gm (Rank) |
| 2000 | 20.1 PPG (13th) |
Baltimore Ravens DC (2002-2004)
Before Nolan: 2001 Ravens (Nolan served as wide receivers coach)
| Year | Pts. Gm (Rank) |
| 2001 | 16.6 PPG (4th) |
With Nolan: 2002-2004 Ravens
| Year | Pts. Gm (Rank) |
| 2002 | 22.1 PPG (19th) |
| 2003 | 17.6 PPG (6th) |
| 2004 | 16.8 (6th) |
Served as San Francisco 49ers head coach from 2005-2008
Denver Broncos DC (2009)
Before Nolan: 2008 Broncos
| Year | Pts. Gm (Rank) |
| 2008 | 28.0 PPG (30th) |
With Nolan: 2009 Broncos
| Year | Pts. Gm (Rank) |
| 2009 | 20.2 PPG (12th) |
Looking at Nolan’s resume, obviously things haven’t always been as impressive as the turnaround in Denver, as he had his struggles running the Redskins’ defense in 98′ and 99′, and wasn’t exactly brilliant in his first season as the play caller for the Ravens’ D’. But when he has been given the reigns to some of the worse defenses in football, he hasn’t disappointed.
In his first DC job, Nolan took over the 26th scoring defense in the league, and instantly transformed them into the league’s best. And we’ve already mentioned the unbelievable job he did in Denver last year, which was the only other bottom ten unit he has taken over. The Dolphins will be Nolan’s third bottom ten defense.
Will he be able to turnaround the 25th ranked scoring defense and 22nd ranked total defense of 09′, though? There are legitimate questions all over the field for the Dolphins’ defense, which may hinder Nolan’s impact, but looking at his body of work, this defense really shouldn’t go anywhere but up in 2010.
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