Cameron is hired to coach Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins concluded a two-week coaching search Friday, hiring Cam Cameron, the San Diego Chargers’ offensive coordinator the last five seasons.

“It’s not going to be about any individual,” Cameron said at a news conference. “We’re going to build a team here. You’re going to see a football team.”

Cameron signed a four-year contract to replace Nick Saban, who left for Alabama after a 6-10 season. Saban missed the playoffs in both years with Miami, whose roster needs an overhaul to fix an aging defense and a feeble offense.

“We’re going to do everything we can to bring the people of South Florida a championship,” Cameron said.

Cameron went 18-37 as a head coach at Indiana, then directed a high-powered attack in San Diego. Led by the NFL’s most valuable player, LaDainian Tomlinson, the Chargers ranked fourth in the league in offense this season and finished 14-2, best in the NFL.

“Good for Cam,” Chargers Coach Marty Schottenheimer said. “I think he’ll be a very fine, winning NFL coach. He has done a terrific job for us, obviously. We’re excited that he has been given this opportunity. I know that there’s a lot of work for him to do, but he’ll measure up to the task.”

Cameron, 45, will be the Dolphins’ fourth coach in nine seasons. It has been a frustrating a stretch of instability for a franchise that had the same coach -- Don Shula -- for 26 years.

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Star receivers Calvin Johnson, Dwayne Jarrett and Ted Ginn Jr. were among the 40 underclassmen declared eligible for this year’s NFL draft.

Johnson, of Georgia Tech, and Jarrett, of USC, were first-team All-Americans and are expected to go very high in the draft on April 28-29.

Ginn helped lead Ohio State to the No. 1 ranking in the nation before it lost the BCS championship to Florida when he was injured early in the first quarter -- after returning the opening kickoff for a touchdown.

Ginn’s fellow Buckeyes receiver, Anthony Gonzalez, also was granted the special eligibility for the draft. As was Buckeyes running back Antonio Pittman.

The champion Gators have four players who made themselves available for the draft, all from their defense: end Jarvis Moss, linebacker Brandon Siler, and backs Ryan Smith and Reggie Nelson.

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Philadelphia Eagles Coach Andy Reid said he canceled a news conference by Donovan McNabb because he wants the injured quarterback to concentrate on his rehab. McNabb hasn’t spoken at length to reporters since he tore a knee ligament on Nov. 19. He had planned a news conference for Friday.

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Former Seattle and Oakland special teams coach Bob Casullo was hired as tight ends coach by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He replaces Ron Middleton, who left Tampa Bay for a position at Alabama.

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The Carolina Panthers hired former New York Giants defensive coordinator Tim Lewis as their new secondary coach. Lewis, who was fired by the Giants last week, replaces Rod Perry, one of three Panthers’ coaches fired on Monday.