After countless amounts of interviews and offers made, the Miami Dolphins have finally found their Buccaneer. Dennis Hickey – Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ director of player personnel – ended Miami’s three-week long search for a new general manager by accepting the position this Sunday, January 26.

Dennis Hickey joined the Bucs’ personnel department as a pro personnel assistant. Spending twelve years as a scout, his player decisions were a major factor in Tamps Bay’s four division titles and Super Bowl XXXVII win back in 2002. Despite the Bucs’ 4-12 record this year, Hickey is said to have assembled a team more talented then what records show.

“I am excited that Dennis Hickey is our new General Manager” said Stephen Ross, Miami Dolphins owner. “When we started the search, I outlined qualities that I was looking for in this position. These included a collaborative team-first person who can work with Joe, demonstrated player evaluation expertise, and someone who is open-minded and creative. Dennis fit all of these criteria and I’m looking forward to having him get started.”

However, Hickey wasn’t the Dolphins first choice. The Miami Dolphins had their eyes set on many phenomenal candidates to replace Jeff Ireland: Nick Caserio (New England Patriots director of player personnel), Lake Dawson (Tennessee Titans V.P. of player Personnel), and Ray Farmer (Cleveland Browns assistant GM). All have either turned down the Dolphins’ offer or refused to have a second interview.

When it was time to interview Hickey, Ross decided to have the new GM (whoever it was going to be at the time) report to him and will have freedom in building up the team. Dennis Hickey accepted the offer and the perks it came with. He will be in charge of upgrading the roster so that Coach Joe Philbin will have a competitive team with a Playoff fighting chance.

The future is bright for the Miami Dolphins and fans. With an now ex-Buccaneer on their side, Miami Dolphins can look forward to many important changes to come to bring the Dolphins out of the grave and become the Super Bowl winning team they are destined to be.

“The Dolphins certainly have talented players and I am eager to hit the ground running with our personnel and coaching staffs,” said Dennis Hickey “We will all work together to construct a team that will make our organization and fans proud.”