Dolphins fire Mike McDaniel, the quirky, inventive coach who they once viewed as their future
January 8, 2026
The Miami Dolphins have fired coach Mike McDaniel following a 7-10 season in which Miami missed the playoffs for the second straight year. The decision Thursday ends McDaniel’s four-year tenure in Miami, a period defined by soaring expectations that ultimately went unfulfilled. Dolphins owner Stephen Ross said he spoke with McDaniel on Thursday morning to inform him of the decision. The Dolphins went 35-33 under McDaniel, reaching the playoffs in his first two seasons but losing in the first round each time.