Mike McDaniel fired by Dolphins as John Harbaugh intrigue mounts

The Miami Dolphins have made a major decision to part ways with head coach Mike McDaniel after a disappointing 7-10 season that saw them miss out on the playoffs for the second consecutive year. This move comes in the wake of the Baltimore Ravens’ surprising departure from longtime head coach John Harbaugh, adding to the speculation that Miami may have been eyeing Harbaugh as a potential replacement.

Throughout the season, there were lingering doubts about McDaniel’s future with the team. Despite a promising start with a retooled roster, the Dolphins struggled, losing three straight games early in the season and losing star wide receiver Tyreek Hill to a season-ending injury. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa also made headlines by publicly criticizing his teammates before issuing an apology.

The turmoil continued in October with the firing of longtime general manager Chris Grier. While the team managed to string together four consecutive wins following the changes, Tagovailoa was eventually benched after a poor performance against the Steelers on Monday Night Football. The Dolphins then turned to rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers over veteran Zach Wilson.

McDaniel, who had previously served as the offensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers, enjoyed initial success in Miami, leading the team to back-to-back winning seasons in his first two years. However, the team’s performance began to decline in 2024, culminating in an 8-9 record.

The decision to part ways with McDaniel marks the end of an era for the Dolphins, who will now begin the search for a new head coach to lead the team in the upcoming season. The move reflects the team’s commitment to making changes and striving for success in the future.