Miami Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley celebrated an emotional milestone after his team defeated the New York Jets. 28-25 on Sunday. The victory ended Miami's winless start and followed a game in which the Dolphins finally took their first lead of the season.
Hafley earned his first victory as an NFL head coach at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, his home state.
“I wanted them to feel this,” Hafley said in a postgame interview shared by The List Dolphins Podcast.
The coach credited his players with staying committed despite five straight losses to open the campaign.
“All the hard work, all the things we've been asking them to do since OTA's,” Hafley explained. “That's one we'll all remember as we build this thing.”
Hafley also described the celebrations inside Miami's locker room, where players showered him with water following the victory.
“I grabbed every guy when I went in, I had so much water dumped on me,” he said.
Quarterback Malik Willis helped deliver the milestone, throwing for 208 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for another score as Miami survived New York's late comeback attempt.
Rookie receiver Caleb Douglas caught both touchdown passes, including a crucial 63-yard strike in the fourth quarter.
Article Continues BelowThe victory also ended the uncertainty surrounding Miami's early-season struggles.
Despite the celebrations, Hafley emphasized that one victory would not change his approach.
“Regardless of anything, the process is always going to be the most important thing to me,” he said.
Miami now turns its attention to next Sunday's divisional matchup against the New England Patriots.