Although the Miami Dolphins are on a little bit of a hiatus until training camp begins in July, this weekend is one of celebration and honor of all the fathers out there. While the action is paused, it’s a good time to reflect on some of the Dolphin duos of dad and son.
There have been three father-son coaching tandems in Dolphins’ history. The most recent was offensive line coach Jeremiah Washburn, who coached alongside his father, Jim Washburn, in 2016. The elder Washburn served as senior defensive assistant/pass-rush specialist in the same year.
Earlier, and most notable, both Dave Shula (1982-88) and Mike Shula (1991-92, 2000-02) coached under their father, Don. Tony Sparano Jr. spent one season (2011) under his father, Tony Sparano, who was head coach of the Dolphins from 2008-11.
As for the guys on the field, in 2005, defensive tackle Randy Crowder (1974-76) and linebacker Channing Crowder (2005-10) became the third father-son combination to play for the Dolphins in franchise history.
They joined the Barbers, linebacker Rudy (1968) and fullback Kantroy (1999), and the Grieses, quarterbacks Bob (1967-80) and Brian (2003).
The Crowders were the first father-son tandem to both be drafted by the Dolphins, as Randy was taken in the sixth round in 1974, and Channing was selected in the third round in 2005.
You can find Channing still embedded in the Dolphins community as well as the South Florida sports world. He’s a co-host on a local radio show called “Hochman & Crowder,” and he co-hosts “The Pivot” as well. Crowder is also a popular guest on the fan-favorite podcast, “The Fish Tank.”
In addition, quarterback George Wilson Jr. played with the Dolphins in 1966, the team’s inaugural season, under his father, George Sr., who was the team’s head coach.
On behalf of all the Dolphin dads out there, have a “perfect” Father’s Day fellas.