Dolphins Hire Former NFL Tight End as New Offensive Assistant

C.J. Conrad joins Jeff Hafley's coaching staff in Miami.

Mar. 1, 2026 at 2:15am

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The Miami Dolphins have reportedly hired former Kent State tight ends coach C.J. Conrad as their new offensive assistant. Conrad, a 29-year-old former tight end at the University of Kentucky, has coaching experience at the college level after brief stints with the New York Giants and Eastern Kentucky.

Why it matters

The Dolphins are undergoing a rebuilding process under new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley. The addition of Conrad, a young coach with tight end playing experience, could provide valuable insight and development for the team's offensive personnel.

The details

Conrad, who played tight end at the University of Kentucky and totaled 80 receptions for 1,015 yards and 12 touchdowns, went undrafted in the 2019 NFL Draft. He signed with the New York Giants practice squad but was released in 2020 without seeing any regular season action. Conrad then joined his alma mater as a graduate assistant before taking tight ends coaching jobs at Eastern Kentucky and Kent State.

  • Conrad signed with the New York Giants practice squad in 2019.
  • Conrad was released by the Giants in April 2020.
  • Conrad joined the University of Kentucky as a graduate assistant in the summer of 2020.
  • Conrad took the tight ends coach job at Eastern Kentucky in the summer of 2023.
  • Conrad joined Kent State as tight ends coach in 2024.

The players

C.J. Conrad

A 29-year-old former tight end at the University of Kentucky who has coaching experience at the college level, including stints as a tight ends coach at Eastern Kentucky and Kent State.

Jon-Eric Sullivan

The new general manager of the Miami Dolphins, overseeing the team's rebuilding process.

Jeff Hafley

The new head coach of the Miami Dolphins, working with Sullivan on the team's rebuilding efforts.

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The takeaway

The Dolphins' hiring of the young, former tight end C.J. Conrad as an offensive assistant signals their commitment to developing their coaching staff and roster as part of the team's ongoing rebuilding process under new leadership.