Dolphins fire head coach Mike McDaniel after four seasons

The Miami Dolphins fired head coach Mike McDaniel after missing the game. NFL playoffs for the second consecutive season.

Miami announced McDaniel’s firing Thursday, with owner Stephen Ross saying he made the decision after “careful evaluation and extensive discussions” since the end of a 7-10 season for the Dolphins.

McDaniel was hired in 2022 after gaining a strong reputation as a talented offensive mind working on San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offensive staff.

His star continued to rise as the Dolphins reached the playoffs in each of his first two seasons at the helm, although they lost in the Wild Card Round in the 2022 and 2023 seasons.

But injuries and inconsistent play from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa hampered the Dolphins in 2024, with McDaniel facing increasing criticism as Miami finished 8-9 and missed the playoffs.

There was no improvement this season, with Miami going 1-6 through the first seven games before recovering somewhat. The dolphins were eliminated from playoffs with a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 15.

The firing of general manager Chris Grier on October 31 indicated that the Dolphins were heading toward a complete rebuild. Grier had been general manager since 2016, but a series of poor personnel decisions on his part left the Dolphins ill-equipped to truly compete in the AFC.

And the Dolphins have now decided to completely change their structure by removing McDaniel from his position.

“After careful evaluation and extensive discussions since the end of the season, I have made the decision that our organization is in need of a complete change. I informed Mike McDaniel this morning that he has been relieved of his duties as head coach,” Ross said.

“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 the best for the future.”

Harbaugh, a likely candidate for the Dolphins

The Dolphins will now begin their search for a head coach who can end their wait for a first playoff victory since the 2000 season. Following his surprising firing by the Baltimore Ravens after 18 seasons this week, Jim Harbaugh is likely to be considered among the favorites for the job.

McDaniel, meanwhile, seems to be a popular name among teams looking for an offensive coordinator.

Reflecting on his time in Miami, McDaniel said: “Coaching this team and being part of this great franchise has been the honor of a lifetime.

“When I accepted this position, I had a vision of a team that was united and played with passion and energy on the path to winning championships. I gave everything I had to achieve this goal.

“I am disappointed, especially for the fans, that we did not achieve better results on the field, but I am grateful to all the coaches, players and staff who invested in this vision alongside me.

“I am grateful to Stephen Ross for the opportunity he gave me, a little-known coach at the time he hired me. I am most grateful to my wife Katie and my daughter Ayla for their endless love and support. I love this game, the people and the relationships that are a part of it, and I will forever cherish my time in Miami.”