After four seasons, Mike McDaniel’s time as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins has come to an end.
Miami relieved McDaniel of his duties after the Dolphins failed to qualify for postseason play for a second consecutive season in 2025. McDaniel leaves the Dolphins with a 35-33 regular season record and an 0-2 mark in postseason play.
Shortly after news broke regarding his dismissal, McDaniel released a lengthy statement, via the Dolphins, expressing gratitude for his time in Miami and disappointment that he wasn’t able to lead the team to more success.
"Coaching this team and being part of this great franchise has been the honor of a lifetime," McDaniel said. "When I took this job, I had a vision of a team that was bonded together and played with passion and energy on the path to winning championships.
“I gave everything I had for that goal. I am disappointed, especially for the fans, that we did not have better results on the field, but I am grateful for every coach, player, and staff member who poured themselves into that vision alongside me.”
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) January 8, 2026
Moving on from McDaniel is the first move in what projects to be an eventful offseason full of change in Miami. In addition to identifying a new general manager following the dismissal of Chris Grief in October, the team now also needs to identify a new head coach.
The team could also be in the market for a new starting quarterback, as Tua Tagovailoa recently expressed a desire for a fresh start elsewhere.
Buckle up, Dolphins fans. The next few months should be pretty interesting.