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The Miami Dolphins made a surprising move on Thursday by firing Mike McDaniel after four seasons as the team’s head coach.
“After careful evaluation and extensive discussions since the season ended, I have made the decision that our organization is in need of comprehensive change,” Dolphins chairman and owner Stephen M. Ross wrote in a statement posted on X. “I informed Mike McDaniel this morning that he has been relieved of his duties as head coach. 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 his players was evident every day. I wish him and his family the best moving forward.”
After making the playoffs in his first two seasons, McDaniel went just 15-29 in the last two seasons. The Dolphins will now have to find a new leader to help their team compete in a stacked AFC East. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, they have not started reaching out to candidates yet.
“Sources: Dolphins have not contacted John Harbaugh or made inquiries into other coaches,” Schefter wrote on X on Thursday. “This was an independent decision apart from general manager.”
The move comes as a shock for the Dolphins, especially after NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported in December that the team was expected to keep McDaniel despite recent woes.
“Our understanding is, McDaniel, barring some sort of surprise, is expected back next season,” Rapoport said on Dec. 21. “This is someone who does have the support of owner Stephen Ross. Remember, he extended him, and the two are close. The Dolphins organization does want McDaniel to succeed, and believes that he can do it.”
McDaniel signed an extension before the 2024 season that set him up to be the Dolphins coach through 2028. However, Ross clearly felt it was time to move on and made a surprising decision.
McDaniel went 35-33 as a head coach and 0-2 in the playoffs. The move may not be a shock to many, but given reports during the season, it was certainly unexpected. Many expected the Dolphins to move on from Tua Tagovailoa and retain McDaniel.
McDaniel is still regarded as one of the brightest offensive minds in the game. He was held back by shaky quarterback play in the last two seasons, but in his first two seasons with the Dolphins, Miami had one of the best offenses in football.
Whoever the Dolphins hire will not have an easy task. The New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills are contenders and seem poised to battle for the AFC East title for years to come.
