Miami Dolphins Fire Head Coach Mike McDaniel Following Disappointing Season

The Miami Dolphins have officially parted ways with head coach Mike McDaniel after a tumultuous fourth season that didn’t yield the results anticipated by the franchise. Despite inheriting a team with potential, McDaniel's tenure culminated in a disappointing 7-10 record for the 2025 season, prompting the Dolphins' management to reassess their leadership strategy.

Leaping Into the Offseason: Candidates for McDaniel's Replacement

With McDaniel's exit, Miami finds itself in a critical juncture, exploring options for a new head coach. Several high-profile candidates have already entered the conversation, notably John Harbaugh and Kevin Stefanski, who are both seen as potentially strong fits to lead the team back to success. Currently, attention largely gravitates towards Harbaugh, hard-hit by the challenges he faced with the Baltimore Ravens.

A Season to Forget: Dolphins’ 2025 Struggles

The Dolphins' 2025 campaign was riddled with challenges that started from the very first game. Miami suffered a disheartening 33-8 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, where they were outclassed on both sides of the ball. The Colts dominated the game, outgaining Miami 418 to 211, while the Dolphins struggled to mount any significant offense. It was a stark warning sign of the difficulties ahead.

In Week 2, Miami faced the New England Patriots and although putting up a valiant effort, they succumbed to a 33-27 defeat thanks in part to a pivotal 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Antonio Gibson. The subsequent week brought another letdown against rivals Buffalo Bills as Miami fell 31-21, highlighted by a late interception from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa that sealed their fate.

Injuries and Heartbreaks: A Season of Misfortune

Despite their early troubles, the Dolphins did manage to secure their first win of the season against the New York Jets, triumphing 27-21. However, the victory was bittersweet, as they lost star receiver Tyreek Hill to a dislocated knee and torn ACL, a blow that hampered their offensive firepower thereafter.

Following Hill's injury, Miami experienced a string of narrow losses. They fell 27-24 to the Carolina Panthers, giving up a game-winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter, followed by a heartbreaking 29-27 defeat to the Los Angeles Chargers where a last-second field goal clinched the game for their opponents. In a moment of frustration post-game, Tagovailoa vocally criticized team members for tardiness, pointing to bigger issues regarding team discipline and leadership.

The situation escalated when McDaniel publicly lamented the team's performance after a 31-6 embarrassment against the one-win Cleveland Browns. “That was an embarrassing effort,” he stated, indicating the gravity of the pitiful performance.

Brief Resurgence: Hope Amid Despair

In a shocking reversal of fortune from the gloom, the Dolphins showcased their potential against the Atlanta Falcons, delivering an impressive 34-10 victory with Tagovailoa throwing for four touchdowns. However, the upward momentum was short-lived as Miami fell back into decline with a 28-6 home loss to the Baltimore Ravens, where their offense failed to score in the second half.

The eventual end of McDaniel's tenure came after a mutual separation with general manager Chris Grier, who had been with the organization for nine years. It highlighted the organizational struggle that had plagued the Dolphins through various changes over the years.

Faltering Forward: Changing Dynamics

Despite some signs of life with four consecutive victories lifting their record to 6-7, the Dolphins experienced further turbulence with a 28-15 defeat against the Pittsburgh Steelers after which Tagovailoa was benched in favor of rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers. Miami managed to limp through Ewers' three starts with a sub-par record of 1-2.

Looking Ahead: The Search for Stability

McDaniel's entry in January 2022 was marked by optimism following a successful spell as the San Francisco 49ers' offensive coordinator, which had initially lifted the Dolphins' offense from 22nd to 11th in scoring. While the 2022 season ended with a playoff berth and a near victory against the Buffalo Bills, subsequent seasons plunged into disarray.

The 2024 season was characterized by player injuries, particularly quarterback Tagovailoa's six missed games, which directly impacted the Dolphins' regression to an 8-9 finish. The team's scoring decreased sharply from the previous season, ending up ranked 22nd in the league. Following an abysmal 2025 season, the Dolphins find themselves not just with a head coach vacancy but also a need for a comprehensive organizational reset.

A Long Road Ahead

It’s evident that the challenges facing the Dolphins are systemic, with questions looming over team strategy and performance. Although Mike McDaniel is anticipated to find a new offensive role swiftly, the Miami Dolphins will need to navigate through greater issues that extend beyond the coaching situation as they seek to regain footing in a competitive NFL landscape. Fans of the Dolphins have not tasted playoff victory since 2000, underscoring a historically tumultuous era that the franchise now hopes to turn around following the departure of McDaniel.