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Jeff Hafley Gets First NFL Win and Emotional Homecoming After Dolphins Finally Break Through
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- Jeff Hafley Gets First NFL Win and Emotional Homecoming After Dolphins Finally Break Through
For Jeff Hafley, the Miami Dolphins' first win of the season meant more than finally getting a win in the column.
It was his first NFL victory as head coach—and it came just 20 miles from where he grew up.
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Hafley's Dolphins defeated the New York Jets 28-25 on Sunday at MetLife Stadium, giving the first-year coach his first taste of victory after a 0-5 start.
But the moment became even more meaningful when Hafley walked out of the locker room and saw his family waiting for him.
"After the game, when I walked out, when I finished up with the media, my mom, my brother and my sister were right outside the door," Hafley said. "So that was more meaningful than any text – other than my wife. She'd kill me if I didn't include that.
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"But that was really meaningful to me to see my mom, my brother and my sister. Growing up there and going to games there, I think it was special for all of them. So it was a good day."
Hafley and the Dolphins got a huge boost from Caleb Douglas and Malik Willis
After failing to lead at any point during their first five games this season, Hafley's Dolphins never trailed against the Jets.
Miami also got a huge boost from rookie wide receiver Caleb Douglas, who returned from the ankle injury he suffered in Week 2 against the San Francisco 49ers and scored two touchdowns.
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The victory sparked a wild postgame celebration in the Dolphins' locker room. In a video posted to the Dolphins' X account , Hafley was seen throwing his hands in the air and jumping up and down as Miami players poured water bottles over him.
Then owner Stephen Ross gave Hafley a hug and a game ball. General manager Jon-Eric Sullivan also embraced the coach.
"I usually greet all the players win or lose outside the locker room," Hafley said. "When I walked in, I didn't expect to have a waterfall on me, but I appreciated that.
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"I mean, that was special. I could sense just as I was excited for the players, I felt like the players were excited for the coaches and myself. And I think that says a lot about the team that we have and that meant a lot to me, truthfully. It kind of caught me off guard."
For five weeks, Hafley and the Dolphins endured one punch after another.
On Sunday, they finally got to celebrate — and for Hafley, doing it in front of his family made Miami's first win even sweeter.
This story was originally published by Athlon on Oct 27, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
