Joe Philbin returns to Dolphins surrounded by support

DAVIE, Fla. — A day after he buried his father, Miami Dolphins coach Joe Philbin returned to his team Thursday filled with cherished memories and lifted by the support of his players.

In the last week, Philbin has witnessed the Dolphins rally around him and appears to have won over a team one year removed from a national bullying scandal.

"He's the kind of guy the guys on this football team can now look to as a father figure," Dolphins guard Mike Pouncey said. "We're proud to have him as our head coach, stuff he's done for guys on and off the football field has been tremendous. He's given into the guys on this team."

When Philbin was told about Pouncey's comments, he said, "that means a lot."

Philbin spent two days last week with his father, Paul, before he died Friday at his Massachusetts home at 93-years old. Philbin was back on the sideline Sunday as his team throttled the San Diego Chargers, 37-0, and then he returned to Massachusetts to be with his family.

The team Philbin calls his "second family," had his back one year after last season's team was scrutinized as an NFL report by Ted Wells revealed a pattern of harassment in the Dolphins locker room toward offensive lineman Jonathan Martin and others. Richie Incognito was considered to be the instigator of the harassment and was often joined by John Jerry and Pouncey, according to the report.

Martin was traded to the San Francisco 49ers. Jerry signed with the New York Giants, while Incognito remains a free agent.

The report determined that Philbin was not aware of the troubles in his locker room. In the aftermath, Philbin declared he would build a stronger connection he's forged with his players.

"The amount of effort he's put into changing or being more open to everybody in the organization has shown tenfold," defensive tackle Jared Odrick said.

Philbin has become more visible in the locker room, more open to player suggestions. Coaches gave up their first-class seats for players on the nine-hour flight to London for Miami's Sept. 28 win against Oakland. Players wear sweat suits instead of business suits on flights home from road games.

The team also established a 12-15 player leadership council to hold everyone accountable.

"He's definitely changed his style, has been all ears and allows guys to be honest with him," quarterback Ryan Tannehill told USA TODAY Sports. "He's still the same stern Joe. But he's much more easy to relate to. We've drawn closer as a team among players and with coach."

While defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle led the team this week, Philbin remained in constant contact.

"He's definitely made us a family," defensive tackle Randy Starks said. "He walks through the locker room and interacts with players a lot more. With everything that went on last year, you want to make sure you do everything within your power to make sure everything goes right."

Which is what made the Dolphins' effort even more important to Philbin recently.

After the Dolphins defeated the Chargers, team owner Stephen Ross presented Philbin with the game ball, something Philbin plans to give to his mother, Mary.

"They told us Friday morning, my dad might not make it — drive him home, where he belonged," Philbin said. "He'd been in that house 48 years where he raised six kids. We had a kid show up Wednesday who flew up from South Carolina who played Little League baseball for him.

"My father was special, a great guy who could relate to anybody."

Philbin has handled heart-wrenching personal loss with grace since leaving the Green Bay Packers to become Dolphins coach three years ago. His son, Michael, 21, drowned in the Fox River in Oshkosh, Wis. in January 2012 weeks before Ross hired him.

Paul Philbin had a Dolphins blanket along with a picture of his grandson, Michael, on his bed. Before he passed, Philbin read his father an e-mail he received last year.

"I flew home Thursday and read my dad an e-mail from a kid my father coached in Little League 40 years ago, saying, 'Joe 'I played with you on the Indians from ages 9-12. Your dad was a great guy, the best coach ever. He had a real positive impact on me.'

"I obviously told my dad how much he meant to me, too."