The Miami Dolphins have officially parted ways with head coach Mike McDaniel, making him the eighth NFL head coach dismissed during the 2025 campaign and the sixth since the regular season concluded on January 4.

McDaniel’s departure comes after four seasons in charge and follows a sharp decline in the Dolphins’ on-field performance, culminating in a 7–10 record, their worst finish since the 2019 season.

Dolphins’ 2025 Season Collapse

After entering the year with playoff expectations, Miami endured a disastrous start to the 2025 campaign, losing six of their first seven games. The early slump proved difficult to recover from and ultimately derailed the season.

Despite flashes of competitiveness later in the year, the Dolphins were unable to mount a sustained turnaround, finishing well outside postseason contention and prompting ownership to reassess the organization’s direction.

From Playoff Promise to Sudden Exit

McDaniel, 42, was hired in 2022 after spending four seasons on the San Francisco 49ers coaching staff, where he built a reputation as one of the league’s most innovative offensive minds.

His tenure in Miami began positively. The Dolphins reached the postseason in both of his first two seasons, leading the franchise to reward him with a three-year contract extension in August 2024—his first as a head coach.

However, the promise of those early years faded quickly in 2025, as injuries, inconsistency, and defensive struggles compounded Miami’s issues.

Ownership Opts for “Comprehensive Change”

Dolphins owner Stephen Ross had already signaled significant changes when he dismissed general manager Chris Grier earlier in the season. At the time, Ross indicated that McDaniel’s future would be evaluated once the season concluded.

With the campaign complete, Ross ultimately decided to move on from his head coach as part of what he described as a broader organizational reset.

“With the season over, I believe this is the right time for comprehensive change,” Ross said.

Stephen Ross Praises McDaniel Despite Firing

In a statement announcing the decision, Ross expressed gratitude and admiration for McDaniel’s work ethic and creativity, even as he confirmed the firing.

“I love Mike and want to thank him for his hard work, commitment, and the energy he brought to our organization,” Ross said.
“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.”

Coaching Carousel Continues Across the NFL

McDaniel’s dismissal highlights the growing volatility of the NFL coaching carousel, with franchises increasingly quick to make changes following underwhelming seasons.

He becomes the eighth head coach fired during the 2025 NFL season, underscoring the league’s win-now mentality—even for coaches who recently delivered playoff appearances.

John Harbaugh Speculation Addressed

Ross is known to have personal ties to the family of John Harbaugh, whose long tenure as head coach of the Baltimore Ravens reportedly ended after the team failed to qualify for the playoffs.

However, according to ESPN, the Dolphins have not yet contacted Harbaugh, and sources indicate that McDaniel’s firing is unrelated to Harbaugh’s availability.

Miami is expected to conduct a wide-ranging search as it looks to reshape its leadership ahead of the 2026 season.

What’s Next for the Dolphins?

With both the head coach and general manager roles now vacant, the Dolphins face a pivotal offseason. Key decisions around quarterback development, roster construction, and coaching philosophy will define whether Miami can return to playoff contention—or face another rebuild.

For McDaniel, despite the abrupt ending in Miami, his offensive pedigree and prior success may still make him a candidate for future coaching or coordinator roles elsewhere in the league.