The Miami Dolphins promised progress. But on Thursday, they pressed the panic button – firing head coach Mike McDaniel and opening yet another chapter of uncertainty in Miami.
The decision to end McDaniel’s tenure after a four-year stretch that was filled with high expectations and inconsistent results came around 11 a.m. on Thursday. Speculation about his future with the team started early in the season, but the move gained steam after the Dolphins went 7-10 and ended a second consecutive year without a playoff appearance.
McDaniel led the Dolphins to back-to-back playoff berths after taking over from Brian Flores. He helped quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who was drafted in 2020, turn into a star. During his four seasons, he had a 35-33 record.
The Dolphins are searching for a fresh start, but the problems that need resolution go beyond McDaniel. The search for answers started back in October 2025, when the team fired General Manager Chris Grier following a 2-7 start to the season.
The struggles continued on the field and culminated when McDaniel benched Tagovailoa after a 28-15 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, a defeat that officially eliminated Miami from playoff contention.
With both the head coach and GM gone, the franchise is now in a limbo.
“After careful evaluation, I have made the decision that our organization is in need of comprehensive change,” said Dolphins Chairman and Owner Stephen M. Ross, in a statement released via Twitter. “ I want to thank Mike McDaniel for his hard work, commitment, and the energy he brought to our organization. I wish him and his family the best moving forward.”
From the start, McDaniel’s playbooks were an offensive dream to watch, showing glimpses of potential – but that only came when the roster was healthy. Injuries, combined with inconsistent execution, constantly limited the system’s effectiveness.
It didn’t stop there. Turnovers at critical moments were another key component in the team’s struggles. In week one of this season against the Indianapolis Colts, Tagovailoa turned the ball over 3 times. Then, in week 7, when playing the Cleveland Browns, the team committed four turnovers in a 31-6 loss.
McDaniel, a Yale graduate who at age 42 is younger than most NFL coaches, has made valiant efforts to build a stronger culture and toughness, But they were too little and too late.
“When I took this job, I had a vision of a team that was bonded together and played with passion and energy on the path to winning championships,” McDaniel wrote in a Tweet released by the Dolphins. “I gave everything I had for that goal. I am disappointed, especially for the fans…”
