The Miami Dolphins made yet another move into the progressive era of football this week when they promoted internal coaches Eric Studesville and George Godsey to the team’s vacant offensive coordinator position after Chan Gailey resigned following the 2020 season.
After narrowing the search to five candidates, head coach Brian Flores and General Manager Chris Grier again pulled a rabbit of a hat. In a move that further solidifies their word on keeping and developing now-second-year quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, the duo’s choice to attack the offense with a run-focused and pass-focused system with two minds instead of one is genius.
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Flores Kept Both Studesville, Godsey After Taking Over in Miami
Both Studesville and Godsey served in their respective roles as running back’s coach and tight end’s coach on Miami’s coaching staff prior to Flores taking over the team. But, they were kept on the staff despite the heavy turnover once Flores arrived in South Beach in 2019.
Flores has publicly spoken on how both are assets to the organization and he intends to keep both Studesville and Godsey at their coaching positions while they coordinate.
Super Bowl Winning Studesville’s Journey to Miami
Studesville joined the Dolphins as their RB coach in 2018 after winning Super Bowl 50 with the Denver Broncos in the same position.
He has been an NFL RBs coach since 2010 and retained his position with the Broncos through their head coaching carousel*, speaking volumes to his adaptability and success he has with working with players and all types of people.
He even was the interim head coach for Denver after Josh McDaniels was fired and went 1-3 when he made the decision to start rookie Tim Tebow in 2010. Gutsy? Dolphins fans like it.
Godsey, Flores Go Back to New England Days
Godsey also joined the Dolphins in 2019 and had ties in New England with Flores. He was the Patriots’ offensive assistant in 2011 and moved to be their tight end’s coach in 2012, the same position he currently holds outside of the OC job, with the Dolphins.
Godsey Introduced Three-TE Set, Set TE Records in 2020
As the TE coach in 2020, Godsey helped Miami introduce a three-TE set unseen by most teams in the NFL. Yet, it was successful.
After acquiring TE Adam Shaheen from the Chicago Bears, Godsey incorporated him with Mike Gesicki and Durham Smythe to help the TE room achieve Miami records.
The trio tied the TE touchdown record with 11 combined on the season and they had a franchise-best 91 catches for 1,061 receiving yards.
Studesville, Godsey Successfully Attack Different Areas of Dolphins’ Offense
As previously reported by FPC Dolphins writer Daniel Roberts, Studesville was able to get a lot out of RB Myles Gaskin in 2020 seemingly out of nowhere. His 24 total years of coaching experience has helped him incorporate more of a balanced run-pass system that could make the Dolphins a tough team to go up against in the near future.
Additionally, with that as a possibility and potential focus, it would enhance Miami’s chances in keeping RB Matt Breida whose specialty is a pass-catching back. Being able to build upon an offense with RB pieces already in place would also allow Miami to attack other positions in the 2021 NFL Draft instead of go after a back, as currently speculated.
Furthermore, Godsey on the other hand has already had the opportunity to work with QB Tua Tagovailoa. Avoiding the QB in the draft, the focus should hone in on wide receivers, and having a guy in place who has had a rapport with Tagovailoa would be able to help jump-start the multiple connections needed on the Dolphins’ growing offense.
Charlie Frye to Continue Working with Tagovailoa
It’s important to note that Miami still has QB coach Charlie Frye in place who has been working with Tagovailoa in his development since he was drafted after joining the team in January of 2020.
With the coordinator position now under lock and the Dolphins once again turning heads in the way they handled the hires, Miami is continuing to rebuild faster than the NFL was ready for. But how many teams are actually taking note? And how many of them can actually keep up?
*Studesville was the Broncos RB coach under Josh McDaniels, John Fox, Gary Kubiak and Vance Joseph.
Editor’s Note: Offseason media availability is scarce and neither Flores or Grier have officially commented on the hires.
– Kayla Morton is the Managing Editor for Full Press Coverage Miami Dolphins. She is also a co-host on the Full Press Fantasy Podcast. Like and follow on Follow @northdakayla74 Follow @FPC_Dolphins and Facebook.
