While the Miami Dolphins kept defensive coordinator Josh Boyer in his role after Brian Flores’ firing this offseason, they made some other changes to the coaching staff, including hiring former Dolphins cornerback Patrick Surtain to be a defensive assistant.
Surtain spent seven seasons in Miami, making three Pro Bowls and two All-Pro teams before he was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs ahead of the 2005 season.
When his playing career ended in 2008, he took some time off, but eventually found his way back into football, coaching American Heritage High School which is less than 20 miles from Hard Rock Stadium.
Now, working in the NFL, Surtain is learning in his first training camp just as his players are. He spoke to the media about his approach to his new job.
“I’m learning myself,” Surtain said. “I had to come in in a different role from being a head coach to now be an assistant, and I just want to help any way I can. I had to learn the defense because it’s a different defense, so I’m in learning mode, but at the same time, I just want to give these guys tidbits and lessons that I’ve learned throughout my years to pass them on to possibly help them with their games. I’m just moving around, trying to help any place I can.”
Luckily for Surtain, he has experienced veterans like Xavien Howard and Jerome Baker to tell him to get adjusted to the Dolphins’ defense. He can lean on them and also recall some of his own experiences because, while the game is not the same as it was when he played roughly 15 years ago, there are still aspects of his game that made him great that can be shared.
Having experienced guys like Surtain and cornerbacks coach/pass-game specialist Sam Madison can only help this defense that was already on a great path to end the season in 2021.