After the Miami Dolphins ended their season with another losing record, head coach, Mike McDaniel, was fired by the organization. Dolphins owner, Stephen Ross, claimed that the franchise “is in need of comprehensive change,” said Ross (ESPN).

McDaniel’s time with the Dolphins did not begin poorly. He was hired in February of 2022 and led Miami to a 9-8 record, landing the Dolphins a wild card spot. The Dolphins  lost that game to the Buffalo Bills..

In the 2023 season, the Dolphins exploded to a 11-6 record, being the best record McDaniel’s has ever had with the Dolphins. Such a high winning record secured them yet another wild card spot in the playoffs. However, in that wild card game they would lose to the Kansas City Chiefs, putting an end to yet another great year for the Dolphins under McDaniel’s coaching.

Despite back-to-back playoff appearances, the Dolphins started to crumble. In the 2024 season, Miami finished 8-9, which was McDaniel’s first losing record with the Dolphins,  and the first time missing the playoffs. Needing success the following season, the Dolphins started off the 2025 season by losing six out of their first eight games, which ultimately led to a 7-10 record for the Dolphins and missing the playoffs for the second time in a row.

With the organization appearing to head down a dark path, the Dolphins felt a change was necessary to maintain a winning culture. Head coaches are often the easiest to put the blame on during a poor stretch, so It was only a matter of time before McDaniel would be fired. As a result, Miami has joined seven other NFL teams without a head coach. The Dolphins are currently looking at several possible head coaches. Candidates include John Harbaugh, Jesse Minter, Vance Joseph, Anthony Weaver and Klint Kubiak (CBS SPORTS). With this, the Dolphins future could be bright if they choose the right coach. However, if they choose wrongly, they could continue down the dark path they are currently on.