The Dolphins became the eighth NFL team to make a coaching change since the start of the 2025 season when they fired Mike McDaniel on Thursday.
McDaniel’s ouster came days after the end of the regular season and after McDaniel held a pair of press conferences that focused on his plans to move the team in a different direction during the 2026 season. Dolphins owner Stephen Ross released a statement about the decision shortly after news of the change was reported by multiple outlets.
“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,” Ross said. “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.”
The timing of the change has led to immediate speculation that the Dolphins will be making a run at hiring John Harbaugh as their next head coach. The team has been linked to Jim Harbaugh in the past due in large part to Ross’ role as a major donor to the University of Michigan and we should learn soon if they’ll wind up with a different Harbaugh on the sideline at Hard Rock Stadium.
As it turns out, Mike McDaniel will not return in 2026.
Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, Dolphins owner Stephen Ross has fired McDaniel on Thursday.
McDaniel, 42, finishes his Dolphins tenure with a 35-33 record. He was hired in 2022, going 9-8 with a postseason appearance in his first season. The club improved to 11-6 in 2023, but again lost in the first round of the playoffs.
Miami was 8-9 in 2024 and 7-10 in 2025. The Dolphins and former General Manager Chris Grier parted ways midway through the season.
Now the Dolphins will have the opportunity to start fresh with a new G.M. and head coach.
One of the new regime’s first big decisions will be addressing the quarterback position with Tua Tagovailoa.
At least one team is interested in speaking with Brian Flores in this coaching cycle.
Via Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports, the Ravens plan to interview the Vikings’ defensive coordinator and former Dolphins head coach.
Albert Breer of SI.com notes the interview will take place next week.
Flores, 44, has been with the Vikings since 2023. Minnesota’s defense finished No. 3 in yards allowed and No. 7 in points allowed in the 2025 season.
Flores was Miami’s head coach from 2019-2021, registering a 24-25 record. The Dolphins were 5-11 in 2019, 10-6 in 2020, and 9-8 in 2021.
Even without a head coaching job, Flores may end up departing the Vikings as his contract is up as defensive coordinator. He is also involved in an arbitration and litigation case against the NFL and multiple teams (Giants, Dolphins, Broncos, and Texans).
The Dolphins pared their list of General Manager candidates down to four on Wednesday and they’re moving forward with the next round of interviews.
Albert Breer of SI.com reports that Chargers assistant GM Chad Alexander and Packers vice president of player personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan are meeting with the team on Thursday. Both interviews will take place in person.
Sullivan had a virtual interview with the team earlier this week while this will be Alexander’s first meeting with the team.
49ers director of scouting and football operations Josh Williams and the Dolphins’ interim GM Champ Kelly are the other candidates still in the running in Miami.
The Dolphins are getting closer to hiring a General Manager to replace Chris Grier, who they fired on Oct. 31.
The Dolphins announced they have narrowed their list to four candidates. They will conduct in-person interviews this week with Chargers assistant GM Chad Alexander, Packers vice president of player personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan, 49ers director of scouting and football operations Josh Williams and their own interim GM, Champ Kelly.
49ers vice president of player personnel Tariq Ahmad, Eagles assistant GM Alec Halaby, Rams assistant GM John McKay and 49ers assistant GM RJ Gillen also were on the Dolphins’ initial interview list. They had virtual interviews this week.
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel, who is part of the search, spent 2017-21 in San Francisco with Williams.
