The Miami Dolphins introduced Jeff Hafley as their new head coach on Thursday morning, but the press conference became memorable for the wrong reasons. Owner Stephen Ross seemed to forget Hafley’s name while introducing him to the media and fans. This happened just days after the team fired Mike McDaniel following a disappointing 7-10 season.
Ross, who is 85 years old and one of the oldest team owners in the league, walked up to the podium to welcome his new hire. He started by explaining how the organization conducted a careful search to find the right person. He said the team was “totally thorough and totally objective” in speaking with candidates.
According to The Daily Mail, everything went smoothly until Ross tried to introduce Hafley by name. He was talking about the new coach’s qualities, mentioning “the enthusiasm, the knowledge, the background, erm,” before he suddenly stopped. He had to look down at his notes to remember the name. After pausing, he continued, “erm… Jeff stood out amongst them all, so we were really fortunate that he was available.”
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The owner’s slip-up overshadowed the new coach’s debut
Hafley is a first-time head coach who spent the last two years as the Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator. While he gave a confident introduction to everyone watching, Ross’s mistake became the main talking point of the day. It seems even his new boss is still getting used to having Hafley around.
Fans online quickly reacted to the awkward moment. Some were harsh in their criticism, joking that Ross was “turning into the next Biden.” Others expressed frustration with the franchise, writing comments like “Just sell our franchise NOW!” and “Time to give the team to your son-in-law, Stephen.”
Many fans worried about the owner’s ability to lead the organization if he couldn’t remember his new coach’s name. The backlash was similar to the controversy surrounding Bad Bunny’s plans, showing how quickly NFL fans react online.
However, not everyone criticized the 85-year-old owner. Many people defended Ross and respected that he showed up to the podium at his age. One supporter said the “dude killed it,” while another pointed out, “It’s not wild. He doesn’t call the plays, let’s be serious.”
Ross is mainly the financial backer of the team. He’s a real estate developer with a reported net worth of around $10 billion. He bought the Dolphins in 2009, first purchasing 50% of the team for $550 million. He bought another 45% a year later, bringing the total deal to $1.1 billion. While debates about NFL greatness often focus on players, like when Ryan Clark discussed Tom Brady’s legacy, owners also face intense scrutiny from passionate fans.
Given that massive investment, fans expected Ross to remember his new head coach’s name. Still, this small mistake will hopefully be the only awkward moment Hafley faces this season as he takes on his new role with the Dolphins.
Published: Jan 23, 2026 02:45 pm