The Miami Dolphins have officially pressed the reset button on their franchise, firing head coach Mike McDaniel following a turbulent 2025 season that unraveled almost from the opening kickoff. The decision comes after Miami closed the year with a 7-10 record, punctuated by a lopsided 38-10 loss to the New England Patriots in Week 18.
NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero was first to report the move, confirming what many around the league viewed as inevitable after months of inconsistency and regression, then the team posted the firing on social medial.
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Why the Dolphins moved on from Mike McDaniel
Miami’s season never truly recovered from a disastrous 1-6 start. Although the Dolphins managed to stabilize late in the year-including a brief four-game winning streak-the damage had already been done. The late push failed to change the broader perception that the team had lost its identity and competitive edge.
“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,” Dolphins Chairman and Owner Stephen 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.”
McDaniel’s early tenure once appeared promising. In his first two seasons, Miami reached the playoffs, but both campaigns ended in Wild Card losses, extending the franchise’s postseason win drought back to 2000. After finishing 8-9 and missing the playoffs in 2024, expectations were already strained entering 2025.
Injuries, particularly to quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, were a recurring issue. Still, even when healthier, Miami struggled to adapt as defenses adjusted to McDaniel’s once-revolutionary offensive system. The league’s widespread use of two-high safety looks neutralized the Dolphins’ explosive passing game, and Miami never found a reliable counter.
The contrast to 2023 could not be sharper. That season, Miami boasted the NFL’s top-ranked offense and second-highest scoring unit. Tagovailoa led the league with 4,624 passing yards, and the Dolphins famously hung 70 points on Denver in Week 3. The offense felt fast, fearless, and unpredictable.
By 2025, Miami ranked just 27th offensively and an alarming 30th on defense-despite the front seven being projected as a strength. The disconnect between talent and performance ultimately sealed McDaniel’s fate.
What comes next for Miami
McDaniel exits with a 35-33 regular-season record and an 0-2 playoff mark. His dismissal follows the earlier firing of general manager Chris Grier, signaling a full organizational reboot.
Miami’s GM search is reportedly narrowed to four finalists: Chad Alexander, Jon-Eric Sullivan, Josh Williams, and interim GM Champ Kelly.
As for the head coaching vacancy, John Harbaugh is widely believed to top Miami’s wish list following his departure from Baltimore. However, league sources suggest competition will be fierce, with Harbaugh unlikely to begin interviews until next week.
For the Dolphins, the message is clear: patience has expired. Miami is betting that a clean slate-both on the sideline and in the front office-is the only path back to relevance in an increasingly unforgiving AFC.