Dolphins fire coach Mike McDaniel in latest shake-up
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Dolphins fire coach Mike McDaniel in latest shake-up
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAY·USA TODAY Sports
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4 min read
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As several of his peers were fired onBlack Monday,Miami Dolphinscoach Mike McDaniel stated that he seemed to be on solid ground.
"It's my understanding I'm the coach of theMiami Dolphinsuntil told otherwise," McDaniel said Monday, Jan. 5, at a news conference amid a lack of a public statement from owner Stephen Ross.
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That dynamic changed by Thursday, Jan. 8.
The Dolphins fired McDaniel, bringing an end to his four-year run leading the franchise. McDaniel finished with a career mark of 35-33 after a 7-10 finish in the 2025 season.
The move comes amid speculation about which team will land formerBaltimore RavenscoachJohn Harbaugh, who was fired Tuesday and immediately became the hottest candidate on the open market. But ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the Dolphins have not contacted Harbaugh or made inquiries into other coaching candidates.
McDaniel, meanwhile, could become a leading offensive coordinator option for several teams if he doesn't land another head-coaching gig.
Jeff Hafley is introduced as the new Miami Dolphins head coach during an introductory press conference at Baptist Health Training Complex on Jan. 22, 2026.
(Sam Navarro, Imagn Images)
Mike McDaniel was head coach of the Miami Dolphins for four seasons, from 2022-25. McDaniel compiled a record of 35-33 during his tenure (.515 winning %).
(Mark Konezny, Imagn Images)
Mike McDaniel led the Dolphins to two playoff appearances, but the team was defeated in the wild-card round both times (2022 and 2023 seasons). The Dolphins haven't won a playoff game since the 2000 season.
(Denny Medley, USA TODAY Sports)
Mike McDaniel was hired by the Dolphins on Feb. 6, 2022 after serving as the offensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers during the 2021 season.
(Mark Konezny, Imagn Images)
Brian Flores was head coach of the Miami Dolphins from 2019 through 2021, compiling a 24-25 record (.490 winning %).
(Rich Barnes, USA TODAY Sports)
Adam Gase was head coach of the Miami Dolphins from 2016 through 2018, compiling a 23-25 record (.479 winning %). The Dolphins made one playoff appearance (2016) during Gase's tenure.
(Mark Konezny, USA TODAY Sports)
Dan Campbell was the Miami Dolphins' interim head coach for the final 12 games of the 2015 season after the team fired Joe Philbin. Campbell had a record of 5-7 (.417 winning %).
(Bill Ingram, USA TODAY NETWORK)
Joe Philbin was head coach of the Miami Dolphins from 2012 through the first four games of the 2015 season, compiling a 24-28 record (.462 winning %).
(Matt Marton, USA TODAY Sports)
Todd Bowles was the Miami Dolphins' interim head coach for the final three games of the 2011 season after the team fired Tony Sparano. Bowles had a record of 2-1 (.667 winning %).
(Kevin Hoffman, US PRESSWIRE)
Tony Sparano was head coach of the Miami Dolphins from 2008 through the first 13 games of the 2011 season, compiling a 29-32 record (.475 winning %). The Dolphins made one playoff appearance (2008) during Sparano's tenure as head coach.
(Bob Donnan, US PRESSWIRE)
Cam Cameron was head coach of the Miami Dolphins in 2007, compiling a 1-15 record (.063 winning %).
(James Lang, US PRESSWIRE)
Nick Saban was head coach of the Miami Dolphins from 2005 through 2006, compiling a 15-17 record (.469 winning %).
(Al Messerschmidt, Getty Images)
Jim Bates was the Miami Dolphins' interim head coach for the final seven games of the 2004 season after the resignation of Dave Wannstedt. Bates had a record of 3-4 (.429 winning %).
(Doug Pensinger, Getty Images)
Dave Wannstedt was head coach of the Miami Dolphins from 2000 through the first nine games of the 2004 season, compiling a 42-31 record (.575 winning %). The Dolphins made two playoff appearances (2000 and 2001), winning a wild-card playoff game during the 2000 season for the franchise's last postseason victory.
(Brian Bahr, Getty Images)
Jimmy Johnson was head coach of the Miami Dolphins from 1996 through 1999, compiling a 36-28 record (.563 winning %). The Dolphins made three playoff appearances (1997, 1998 and 1999) during Johnson's tenure.
(RHONA WISE, AFP via Getty Images)
Don Shula was head coach of the Miami Dolphins from 1970 through 1995, compiling a 257-133-2 record (.659 winning %).
(Dick Raphael, USA TODAY Sports)
The Dolphins made 16 playoff appearances during Don Shula's tenure, appearing in five Super Bowls, winning two. His 1972 team is the only modern-era squad to complete a season undefeated.
(US PRESSWIRE)
Don Shula retired with the most coaching wins in NFL history, a record he still holds. Shula has 328 regular-season wins as an NFL head coach (257 with the Miami Dolphins and 71 with the Baltimore Colts). He also has 19 playoff victories.
(JEFF HAYNES, AFP via Getty Images)
1/18
How have Miami Dolphins head coaches fared through the years?
Jeff Hafley is introduced as the new Miami Dolphins head coach during an introductory press conference at Baptist Health Training Complex on Jan. 22, 2026.
(Sam Navarro, Imagn Images)
1/18
How have Miami Dolphins head coaches fared through the years?
Jeff Hafley is introduced as the new Miami Dolphins head coach during an introductory press conference at Baptist Health Training Complex on Jan. 22, 2026.
(Sam Navarro, Imagn Images)
2/18
How have Miami Dolphins head coaches fared through the years?
Mike McDaniel was head coach of the Miami Dolphins for four seasons, from 2022-25. McDaniel compiled a record of 35-33 during his tenure (.515 winning %).
(Mark Konezny, Imagn Images)
3/18
How have Miami Dolphins head coaches fared through the years?
Mike McDaniel led the Dolphins to two playoff appearances, but the team was defeated in the wild-card round both times (2022 and 2023 seasons). The Dolphins haven't won a playoff game since the 2000 season.
(Denny Medley, USA TODAY Sports)
4/18
How have Miami Dolphins head coaches fared through the years?
Mike McDaniel was hired by the Dolphins on Feb. 6, 2022 after serving as the offensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers during the 2021 season.
(Mark Konezny, Imagn Images)
5/18
How have Miami Dolphins head coaches fared through the years?
Brian Flores was head coach of the Miami Dolphins from 2019 through 2021, compiling a 24-25 record (.490 winning %).
(Rich Barnes, USA TODAY Sports)
6/18
How have Miami Dolphins head coaches fared through the years?
Adam Gase was head coach of the Miami Dolphins from 2016 through 2018, compiling a 23-25 record (.479 winning %). The Dolphins made one playoff appearance (2016) during Gase's tenure.
(Mark Konezny, USA TODAY Sports)
7/18
How have Miami Dolphins head coaches fared through the years?
Dan Campbell was the Miami Dolphins' interim head coach for the final 12 games of the 2015 season after the team fired Joe Philbin. Campbell had a record of 5-7 (.417 winning %).
(Bill Ingram, USA TODAY NETWORK)
8/18
How have Miami Dolphins head coaches fared through the years?
Joe Philbin was head coach of the Miami Dolphins from 2012 through the first four games of the 2015 season, compiling a 24-28 record (.462 winning %).
(Matt Marton, USA TODAY Sports)
9/18
How have Miami Dolphins head coaches fared through the years?
Todd Bowles was the Miami Dolphins' interim head coach for the final three games of the 2011 season after the team fired Tony Sparano. Bowles had a record of 2-1 (.667 winning %).
(Kevin Hoffman, US PRESSWIRE)
10/18
How have Miami Dolphins head coaches fared through the years?
Tony Sparano was head coach of the Miami Dolphins from 2008 through the first 13 games of the 2011 season, compiling a 29-32 record (.475 winning %). The Dolphins made one playoff appearance (2008) during Sparano's tenure as head coach.
(Bob Donnan, US PRESSWIRE)
11/18
How have Miami Dolphins head coaches fared through the years?
Cam Cameron was head coach of the Miami Dolphins in 2007, compiling a 1-15 record (.063 winning %).
(James Lang, US PRESSWIRE)
12/18
How have Miami Dolphins head coaches fared through the years?
Nick Saban was head coach of the Miami Dolphins from 2005 through 2006, compiling a 15-17 record (.469 winning %).
(Al Messerschmidt, Getty Images)
13/18
How have Miami Dolphins head coaches fared through the years?
Jim Bates was the Miami Dolphins' interim head coach for the final seven games of the 2004 season after the resignation of Dave Wannstedt. Bates had a record of 3-4 (.429 winning %).
(Doug Pensinger, Getty Images)
14/18
How have Miami Dolphins head coaches fared through the years?
Dave Wannstedt was head coach of the Miami Dolphins from 2000 through the first nine games of the 2004 season, compiling a 42-31 record (.575 winning %). The Dolphins made two playoff appearances (2000 and 2001), winning a wild-card playoff game during the 2000 season for the franchise's last postseason victory.
(Brian Bahr, Getty Images)
15/18
How have Miami Dolphins head coaches fared through the years?
Jimmy Johnson was head coach of the Miami Dolphins from 1996 through 1999, compiling a 36-28 record (.563 winning %). The Dolphins made three playoff appearances (1997, 1998 and 1999) during Johnson's tenure.
(RHONA WISE, AFP via Getty Images)
16/18
How have Miami Dolphins head coaches fared through the years?
Don Shula was head coach of the Miami Dolphins from 1970 through 1995, compiling a 257-133-2 record (.659 winning %).
(Dick Raphael, USA TODAY Sports)
17/18
How have Miami Dolphins head coaches fared through the years?
The Dolphins made 16 playoff appearances during Don Shula's tenure, appearing in five Super Bowls, winning two. His 1972 team is the only modern-era squad to complete a season undefeated.
(US PRESSWIRE)
18/18
How have Miami Dolphins head coaches fared through the years?
Don Shula retired with the most coaching wins in NFL history, a record he still holds. Shula has 328 regular-season wins as an NFL head coach (257 with the Miami Dolphins and 71 with the Baltimore Colts). He also has 19 playoff victories.
(JEFF HAYNES, AFP via Getty Images)
"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," Ross said in a statement. "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."
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McDaniel had seemed to be in hot water in the early going, with the Dolphins spiraling to a 1-6 start. After a loss to theBaltimore Ravensin Week 9 dropped Miami to 2-7, the team parted ways with general manager Chris Grier but stuck with McDaniel.
Despite dealing top edge rusherJaelan Phillipsto thePhiladelphia Eaglesat the NFL trade deadline, the Dolphins went on a four-game win streak to claw closer to a .500 record. Miami would lose three of its final four games, however, withquarterback Tua Tagovailoa benchedfor the last three contests.
"Coaching this team and being a part of this great franchise has been the honor of a lifetime," McDaniel said in a statement. "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."
The Dolphins hired McDaniel in February 2022 despite the then-San Francisco49ersoffensive coordinator not having landed any interviews elsewhere for other head-coaching openings. Known for a blunt yet jovial demeanor that included cracking jokes on both the sideline and in news conferences, McDaniel and his laid-back ways drew a sharp contrast with former Dolphins coach Brian Flores, whom Ross fired at the end of his third season at the helm in 2021.
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But the defining trait of McDaniel's early tenure would be speed – and the creativity with which he deployed it. In March 2022, the Dolphins gave up five draft picks to acquire Hill from theKansas City Chiefsin a trade. As part of the deal, the team made Hill the highest-paid receiver in NFL history at the time with a four-year, $120 million deal. In fielding Hill,Jaylen Waddleand running backRaheem Mostertas weapons for Tagovailoa, the Dolphins quickly established themselves as one of the league's most dangerous attacks.
McDaniel drew rave reviews for his play-calling acumen, and his innovative "cheat motion" – as publicly coined by 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan, under whom McDaniel coached at a number of stops – was widely copied by other teams in 2023. That same season, the Dolphins tied for the second-most points scored in a single game with a 70-20 rout of theDenver Broncos. Miami would finish the season with the No. 1-ranked offense in yards per game at 401.3 per game, but the organization bowed out of the playoffs in a wild-card round loss to the Chiefs.
A tight salary-cap situation prompted the Dolphins to undergo somewhat of a shift the ensuing offseason, when they lost the likes of defensive tackleChristian Wilkins, offensive guardRobert Huntand linebackerAndrew Van Ginkelto other teams in free agency while cutting Howard and several other notable contributors.
Tagovailoa would miss six games in 2024 – four due to an early-season concussion and another two with a late hip injury – as Miami quickly dropped out of contention before putting together a midseason surge.
