No income taxes, great weather and his handpicked GM.
The Dolphins potentially have an advantage in the John Harbaugh sweepstakes since the team is also looking for a general manager, potentially affording the ex-Ravens coach the chance to choose who will oversee player personnel for him, should he choose to head to Florida.
Chargers assistant general manager Chad Alexander is reportedly a finalist for the Miami general manager vacancy and has ties to Harbaugh from his time in Baltimore.
The Dolphins became the eighth team with a head coaching vacancy Thursday after owner Stephen Ross fired Mike McDaniel following four seasons at the helm.
ESPN’s Peter Schrager reported that Miami had not yet contacted Harbaugh as of Wednesday night, but is now expected to do so.
The Dolphins and Falcons are the only two among the eight teams that have openings for both their general manager and coach, which can provide an incentive to candidates.
Harbaugh and others may prefer a job where they can help choose the general manager they will be working alongside, as opposed to inheriting someone in that role.
If the Giants, for example, hired Harbaugh, he would be paired with Joe Schoen, whose hot-seat status could be a potential deterrent.
The Dolphins are expected to hire a general manager soon, and Alexander is one of four finalists for the role, per NFL Network.
Alexander spent 20 years in Baltimore from 1999-2018, rising from player personnel assistant to assistant director of pro personnel.
Harbaugh joined the Ravens in 2008, and the pair won a Super Bowl together in the 2012 season before Alexander left for the Jets in 2019.
While Miami has that potential front office advantage, the uncertainty at quarterback with Tua Tagovailoa possibly on his way out and the poor roster leave the team in more of a rebuilding state.
The Dolphins went 7-10 this season, finishing third in the AFC East, and own the No. 11 pick in a draft that is not as regarded as in years past.
The 63-year-old Harbaugh will have to factor into any decision just what level of a rebuild he is willing to deal with at this point in his career.
