Mueller takes over as Dolphins’ G.M.

MIAMI – The Miami Dolphins hired former New Orleans general manager Randy Mueller as their GM on Monday to help first-year coach Nick Saban rebuild the franchise that slid to an embarrassing 4-12 last season.

Mueller replaces Rick Spielman, who left the Dolphins last week after five seasons helping oversee their personnel moves.

Mueller served as a general manager for the Saints in 2000 and 2001. The Saints captured the NFC West title and earned their first-ever playoff win in Mueller’s first season with the team.

He has served as an ESPN analyst for the past three seasons after being released from his Saints contract in 2002.

“I am looking forward to my responsibilities with the Dolphins,” Mueller said in a statement from the team. “This is one of the great franchises in the NFL with an unmatched tradition of success, and it’s going to be special for me to be a part of that legacy.”

Mueller, a Spokane resident and native of St. Maries, Idaho, spent 17 years with the Seattle Seahawks before joining the Saints, eventually becoming vice president of football operations in 1995.

Mueller interviewed for the job when it was created before last season. Spielman took the post after then-coach Dave Wannstedt was stripped of having final say on personnel decisions. Wannstedt was fired during the tumultuous 2004 season.

Mueller traded Ricky Williams from the Saints to the Dolphins for two first-round draft picks before the 2002 season.

Williams’ agent, Leigh Steinberg, has said the former NFL rushing leader is contemplating a return to the Dolphins after unexpectedly retiring just before training camp last season.