The Miami Dolphins moved on from head coach Mike McDaniel on Thursday morning, a move that reportedly shocked McDaniel and his camp.
McDaniel spent the last four seasons as Miami’s head coach, and according to the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson, his camp “fully expected him to be retained.”
McDaniel was informed this morning. This was a shock to Mike; his camp fully expected him to be retained. Ross decided to make the change after assessing situation in aftermath of meeting with McDaniel.
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) January 8, 2026
Now, the Dolphins will join teams like the New York Giants, Atlanta Falcons, Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, Las Vegas Raiders and Arizona Cardinals that also have open head-coaching positions.
McDaniel’s firing comes after Baltimore’s decision to move on from longtime head coach John Harbaugh earlier this week, and it’s a safe bet that there will be buzz connecting the Dolphins to Harbaugh, though they reportedly haven’t contacted him.
Sources: Dolphins have not contacted John Harbaugh or made inquiries into other coaches. This was an independent decision apart from general manager. https://t.co/GMdaKJC3aR
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 8, 2026
As for McDaniel, it’s unclear what his next move will be in the NFL.
In his four seasons as Miami’s head coach, McDaniel led the franchise to a 35-33 regular-season record and made the playoffs twice. Miami did not win a playoff game under McDaniel, and the last two seasons were his worst as the franchise’s head coach.
The Dolphins finished under .500 in the 2024 and 2025 campaigns, missing the playoffs in both seasons. In addition to that, Miami benched former first-round pick Tua Tagovailoa at the tail end of the 2025 regular season, a sign that he may not be back with the team in 2026.
McDaniel, 42, is regarded as a great offensive coach, and it’s possible he’ll receive an offensive coordinator position somewhere in the NFL if he doesn’t pursue (or get) one of the current open head-coaching positions.
The Dolphins have not won a playoff game since the 2000 season, and they’re hoping that the next head coach that they bring in can break that streak. However, the team may need to figure out a plan at quarterback if it wants to land a top candidate like Harbaugh in this key coaching cycle.
