The Miami Dolphins today named Jeff Nixon as their running backs coach and Darren Krein as their head strength and conditioning coach, the team announced.
Nixon comes to the Dolphins after having spent the previous four seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles coaching staff. During his four years with the Eagles, Nixon was an assistant coach working with the special teams as well as the offense, with a focus on the running back position. Prior to his time with Philadelphia he spent the previous 10 years as an assistant in the college ranks with stops at Temple (2006), Tennessee-Chattanooga (2003-05), Shippensburg (1999-02), Princeton (1998) and Penn State (1997).
Nixon began his collegiate playing career as a running back at West Virginia (1993-94) before transferring to play for the legendary Joe Paterno at Penn State (1996). While playing for the Nittany Lions he was named to the Dean’s List and was named to the Big Ten’s All-Academic Team. Nixon earned a degree in elementary education from Penn State and received his master’s degree in elementary administration from Shippensburg. A native of State College, PA, he attended State College (PA) High School, Nixon and his wife, Laura, have a son William, twin daughters Faith and Hope and a daughter Jasmine.
Krein brings 11 years of NFL Strength and Conditioning experience to the Dolphins, having been a part of the Seattle Seahawks staff on two different occasions, 1997-98; 2001-09. He originally joined the Seahawks as a member of Dennis Erickson’s staff on March 1, 1997, for two seasons and re-joined the team in 2001 in the same capacity under Mike Holmgren. Krein holds the distinction of being the first-ever assistant hired by the Seahawks to help in the weight room.
Prior to joining the Seahawks, Krein was a 1994 fifth-round draft choice of the San Diego Chargers (150th overall). He missed his rookie season due to a knee injury. Claimed off waivers by the Green Bay Packers on June 17, 1995, but did not play. Krein played the 1996 World League season with the Barcelona Dragons, but re-injured his knee and retired.
A four-year letterman as a defensive end at the University of Miami (1989-1993) he was a unanimous first-team All-Big East as a senior and left the Hurricanes with 190 career tackles and 17.5 sacks after beginning his career as a middle linebacker. Krein earned his degree in Business Management from the University of Miami. A native of Aurora, Colorado, where he attended Smoky Hills High School, Krein and his wife, Jennifer, have a daughter Ella and two sons Aiden and Kellen.
Jeff Nixon’s Coaching Career
1997 Penn State – Student Assistant
1998 Princeton – Running Backs
1999-02 Shippensburg – Running Backs
2003-05 Tenn. – Chattanooga – Running Backs/Tight Ends/Special Teams Coordinator
2006 Temple – Wide Receivers/Running Backs
2007-10 Philadelphia Eagles – Special Teams Quality Control
2011 Miami Dolphins – Running Backs
Darren Krein’s Coaching Career
1997-98 Seattle Seahawks – Assistant Strength and Conditioning
2001-09 Seattle Seahawks – Assistant Strength and Conditioning
2011 Miami Dolphins – Strength and Conditioning