Miami Dolphins finalize Joe Philbin's coaching staff

New Miami Dolphins coach Joe Philbin finalized his staff on Friday, retaining eight members from Tony Sparano's old staff.

Running backs coach Jeff Nixon, who was hired by Sparano last season, was retained and will continue to coach the team's tailbacks and fullbacks.

In Nixon's first season with the Dolphins, Reggie Bush rushed for a career-high 1,086 yards and Daniel Thomas led all AFC rookie rushers with 581 yards. Nixon came to the Dolphins after spending four seasons (2007-10) with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Newly hired offensive coordinator Mike Sherman will also coach the team's quarterbacks, and Zac Taylor will serve as the assistant quarterbacks coach.

The Dolphins also hired Blue Adams as an assistant defensive backs coach, Charlie Bullen as a defensive assistant, Ben Johnson as an offensive assistant, and Chris Mosley was hired as the assistant offensive line coach.

Adams, who played for five different NFL teams during a five-year career, coached defensive backs at the University of Northern Iowa last season, and before that served as a graduate assistant at Purdue.

Bullen joins the Dolphins after spending two years as a graduate assistant at the University of Iowa, where he worked with the team's defense.

Prior to beginning his role as graduate assistant in 2009 Bullen served as a student assistant for two seasons, working with then-offensive coordinator and current Dolphins receivers coach Ken O'Keefe and the Hawkeye quarterbacks.

Johnson joins the Dolphins after spending three years at Boston College as a graduate assistant.

Mosley, who spent two seasons coaching offensive and defensive lineman in Tampa Bay, served as the offensive line coach at Saint Anselm last season.