The Miami Dolphins have made a significant decision by firing their coach, Mike McDaniel, as announced on Thursday. This decision comes after McDaniel met with reporters on Monday, where he indicated that he would participate in the interviews for the selection of the team’s new general manager. The Dolphins owner, Stephen Ross, met with McDaniel on Tuesday to discuss the season. Following that meeting and thorough reflection, Ross decided to take another direction.
After careful evaluation and extensive discussions since the end of the season, I have made the decision that our organization needs a comprehensive change.
Stephen RossThe Dolphins are expected to conduct the search for a new head coach once the general manager is appointed, which could happen on Friday. On Wednesday, the Dolphins announced that, after an initial round of interviews for general manager, they have scheduled in-person interviews with four candidates: interim general manager Champ Kelly, Josh Williams, director of scouting and football operations for the San Francisco 49ers; Jon-Eric Sullivan, vice president of player personnel for the Green Bay Packers; and Chad Alexander, assistant general manager for the Los Angeles Chargers. Kelly completed his interview on Wednesday, and the other three candidates traveled to Florida on Wednesday night for their interviews, which will take place on Thursday. The Dolphins have not contacted John Harbaugh or anyone from his team. The Dolphins finished the season with a 7-10 record, marking their second consecutive losing season after reaching the playoffs in 2022 and 2023. This decision comes approximately 16 months after McDaniel signed a three-year extension in August 2024.I love Mike and want to thank him for his hard work, commitment, and the energy he brought to our organization. Mike is an incredibly creative football mind whose passion for the game and its players was evident every day. I wish him and his family all the best in the future.
Stephen RossMcDaniel arrived at the Dolphins as head coach for the first time in 2022, after five seasons with the 49ers, including four as run game coordinator from 2017 to 2020, and one as offensive coordinator in 2021. He managed to revitalize an offense that hadn’t finished in the top 10 in total yards since 1995; Miami finished sixth in total offense in McDaniel’s first season, despite averaging less than 100 rushing yards per game. The Dolphins led the NFL in total offense in 2023, when quarterback Tua Tagovailoa finished with 4,624 passing yards, leading the league. However, Miami’s offense declined in 2024, with Tagovailoa missing six games, averaging 325 yards per game compared to 364.5 and 401.3 yards in 2022 and 2023, respectively. The team lost six of its first eight games before finishing 8-9 and missing the playoffs for the first time under McDaniel’s direction. Miami lost seven of its first eight games in 2025 and fired general manager Chris Grier in late October before recovering with a four-game winning streak. Tagovailoa was benched after a Week 15 loss, eliminating the Dolphins from playoff contention. Quinn Ewers, a seventh-round pick, started the team’s last three games. Tagovailoa said on Monday that he expected a fresh start with a new team in 2026. “That would be great,” he said. “I’d be fine with that.” Getting rid of Tagovailoa will be costly for Miami. It represents a $56.4 million impact on the salary cap in 2026, and cutting him before June 1st would result in a $99.2 million dead cap hit next season. Releasing him after June 1st would spread that impact over two seasons, with $67.2 million affecting in 2026. The Dolphins could also look to trade the NFL’s 2023 passing yards leader, but they would need to find a team willing to take on his salary. McDaniel was the third coach of the Dolphins in the last 10 years, following Brian Flores and Adam Gase, who had three-year periods. Before McDaniel, no Dolphins coach had lasted four full seasons in the position since Dave Wannstedt in 2003. Tony Sparano and Joe Philbin were fired during their fourth seasons. The Dolphins haven’t hired a head coach with prior head coaching experience since Sparano in 2008.Coaching this team and being a part of this great franchise has been the honor of my life. When I accepted this job, I had a vision of a united team that would play with passion and energy on the road to championship victories. I gave everything I had to achieve that goal. I am disappointed, especially for the fans, that we haven’t had better results on the field, but I am grateful for every coach, player, and staff member who dedicated themselves to that vision alongside me.
Mike McDaniel
