With Jeff Fisher reportedly choosing St. Louis over Miami because the Rams offered more say in personnel decisions, Dolphins owner Stephen Ross said he doesn't believe that was the determining factor.
Fisher would have worked closely with general manager Jeff Ireland in Miami, but Ireland ultimately would have had final say in personnel decisions. In St. Louis, Fisher will be involved in helping find a new general manager.
"We explained to (Fisher) that (Ireland) was the general manager, and a coach and a general manager have to form a partnership," Ross told the Miami Herald. "We believe (Fisher) had no problem with that. I don't think the organizational issue was a real issue.
"We stressed from the beginning of our conversations with (Fisher) that we believe the team should be a collaboration of a coach and general manager. I thought (Fisher) was fine with that. I thought he was good with that. ... We worked as hard as we possibly could to come to an understanding with (Fisher)."
Ross reiterated his faith in the job Ireland is doing, and is happy with the remaining head coaching candidates the Dolphins are speaking with. That list is believed to include Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, Bears special teams coach Dave Toub and Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin. Interim coach Todd Bowles has interviewed with the Dolphins and Raiders. Miami was also expected to talk to Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy now that Denver's season has ended.
Ross added that he believes Fisher was sincere in his interest in the Dolphins, and did not use Miami as leverage in negotiations with the Rams.
