"Dan will do a great job," former coach Don Shula agreed. "He has proven that he is a true leader."
The hiring will test Marino's relationship with Wannstedt, which has been strained in the past. Marino retired reluctantly two months after Wannstedt became Miami's coach in January 2000.
"There are no hard feelings at all," Marino said. "I know people said I was pushed out, but that's not true."
The hiring of Marino is the latest surprising twist in the Dolphins' offseason. Huizenga resolved the embattled Wannstedt's status two weeks ago by giving him a two-year contract extension but also a demotion, relieving him of responsibility for player moves.
The Dolphins have won just one playoff game in the four years since Marino retired, in part because of lackluster results in the draft.
Marino's mission will be to help change that. He also faces a decision about the future of his successor at quarterback, Jay Fiedler, who has been unpopular with fans while directing a sputtering offense.
Fiedler is due a US$2 million option in April and a projected base salary of US$3.7 million for 2004 if he returns.
Marino declined to discuss Miami's personnel Monday, and he acknowledged there will be a learning curve as he settles into his new career. But he said he had no reservations about taking the job.
"Am I ready for this?" he said. "I feel I am."
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