The Mike McDaniel Firing Points to a Dolphins Head Coach Decision

After another losing season, Mike McDaniel has been fired by the Miami Dolphins, ending a Dolphins era filled with what ifs, and what could have beens.

Stephen Ross and Mike McDaniel released the following statements:

Statement from Dolphins Chairman and Owner Stephen M. Ross:

“After careful evaluation and extensive discussions since the season ended, I have made the decision that our organization is in need of comprehensive change. 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.”

Statement from Mike McDaniel:

“Coaching this team and being a part of this great franchise has been the honor of a lifetime. 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. I gave everything I had for that goal. I am disappointed, especially for the fans, that we did not have better results on the field, but I am grateful for every coach, player, and staff member who poured themselves into that vision alongside me.

I’m grateful to Stephen Ross for the opportunity he gave me, a little known coach at the time when he hired me. Most of all I’m thankful to my wife Katie and daughter Ayla for their unending love and support. I love this game, the people and relationships that are a part of it, and I will forever cherish my time in Miami.”

So why fire McDaniel, well, there are some high value, proven head coaches on the market now.

I had called for McDaniel’s firing in a recent article, here Mike McDaniel Should Not Return as the Dolphins Head Coach – Five Reasons Sports Network. Discussing the late season fallouts, no more half measures, the inability to win without Tua, and many other reasons. But I understood a world where you kept McDaniel for another year, to prove himself, rather than turning to a rookie head coach.

Well now the story is different, with two high profile head coaching candidates available; John Harbaugh and Kevin Stefanski.

Stefanski is a two time coach of the year, and a culture builder, while Harbaugh is a coach of the year, and Super Bowl Champion.

McDaniel’s job appeared safe, at least a few days ago when McDaniel stated he would be back in 2026:

“My understanding is I’m the coach of the Miami Dolphins until told otherwise… the job itself is enough to worry about, so worrying about whether it’s yours, that’s not part of the formula. I think all of us in the Miami Dolphins organization, especially with ownership, are not happy with the results. They’re not up to the standard. So my sole focus each hour you can reach me in the foreseeable mini hours is correcting and improving something that’s not good enough right now.”

But now that’s not the case, and Stephen Ross must go all in on one of these two candidates, to build a new culture in Miami, to put Miami back on the map.

I expect a coaching decision to potentially be made a little later –most importantly after a General Manger is hired– as there are potentially other jobs that could open, including Miami’s Division rival Buffalo Bills.

Harbaugh is my choice in Miami, and I don’t think Ross would have fired McDaniel if the Dolphins weren’t at least going after a top coaching candidate.

Nonetheless, an era is closed in Miami, and it’s time to bring in a coach to end this playoff –and Super Bowl– win drought.