Saratoga Native Anthony Weaver Praised for Role with Miami Dolphins

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Mina Kimes, an ESPN football analyst, and former NFL cornerback Domonique Foxworth recently had flattering things to say about Miami Dolphins Defensive Coordinator and Saratoga Springs native Anthony Weaver. The comments came after the Dolphins defeated the Los Angeles Rams 23 to 15 in a Monday night matchup on November 11.

“I thought [Miami] had a fantastic game plan for the Rams,” Kimes said on an episode of her podcast. “I just came away from this really impressed with Anthony Weaver to be honest, because that’s a very, very difficult matchup against [Rams Head Coach] Sean McVay and his offense. I felt like the Dolphins defense really got the better of them.”

“It was rare to find the Dolphins out of position or out of place or uncomfortable,” added Foxworth. “It’s a credit to old people like me. We’re still good. We have value.”

Thus far this season, the Dolphins’ defense is ranked third among all NFL teams on third downs, with a conversion rate of only 32%. Their passing defense is ranked eighth in the league, allowing 8 touchdowns and an average of 191.3 yards per game. Miami also ranks tenth overall in defensive metrics, allowing an average of 305.8 total yards per game.

Weaver’s journey to the NFL began at Saratoga Springs High School, where he joined the junior varsity team in 1995. The following year, he was promoted to varsity, where he played offensive guard. By the time he was a senior, he was being actively recruited by colleges with elite football programs.

After an accomplished college career at Notre Dame, Weaver was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played in Baltimore for four years, then joined the Houston Texans for another three years. During his playing career, he had 200 tackles, 15.5 sacks, and 57 assisted tackles.

Weaver began his coaching career as defensive graduate assistant at the University of Florida, then had a stint at the University of North Texas before heading back to the NFL. In 2012, he became the New York Jets’ assistant defensive line coach. He then became defensive line coach for the Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans before going back to Baltimore, where in 2022, he was promoted to assistant head coach.

Weaver soon attracted attention from teams around the league, and in January of 2024, he interviewed with both the Atlanta Falcons and the Washington Commanders for their vacant head coaching positions. Ultimately, he ended up being hired by the Miami Dolphins as the team’s new defensive coordinator.