Rapoport: Former Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel 'believed he was going to be saved'

Toran Flores

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Rapoport: Former Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel 'believed he was going to be saved' image

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News struck within the Miami Dolphins organization early on Thursday after the team decided to part ways with head coach Mike McDaniel.

It was a very sudden move made by the franchise, and it turned the heads of a lot of fans and even the former head coach himself.

At first, it was believed that the Dolphins were going to keep McDaniel for at least one more season, but after further reports, this wasn't the case. 

Ian Rapoport says that McDaniel "believed he was going to be saved" for another year with the Dolphins

NFL insider Ian Rapoport was able to break down the situation in Miami, saying that there were multiple factors that played into the firing of former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel.

"He (Mike McDaniel) believed that he was going to be saved. So much so, telling people close to him, including coaches, that he would be back for next season," the insider mentioned. 

Rapoport also said that McDaniel met with the team owner, Stephen Ross, multiple times throughout this week, but the most recent interaction on Thursday must have left Ross with not enough confidence that he would be back.

Another motive behind the move could have been that the Dolphins did not have a large reset in the franchise's front office. With Miami already going through a process of bringing in a new general manager, a brand new face in the head coaching position seems to be what the team wants to do.

In his four seasons with the Dolphins, McDaniel helped lead Miami to two straight playoff appearances in 2022 and 2023. This was the first time the franchise did so in two decades. 

If he is unable to land a new head coaching job, McDaniel will be seen as a top prospect as an offensive coordinator with a team.

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Staff Writer