The current NFL season has claimed another head coach, this time in South Florida. After failing to reach the primary goal of making the playoffs, the Miami Dolphins decided to relieve Mike McDaniel of his duties and are now looking ahead, rebuilding their structure for what’s next.
In a heartfelt message posted on the Dolphins’ X account, the now-former head coach expressed his sadness over the situation while reflecting positively on his time with the franchise.
McDaniel also apologized to the fans for the results, thanked the organization for its treatment, and also expressed gratitude for the support of his colleagues and family.
Now the Dolphins will quickly look for his replacement, with Harbaugh perhaps emerging as one of the strongest candidates at the moment. These are moments of analysis as the team prepares to approach the 2026 season as strongly as possible.
McDaniel’s numbers in South Florida and what’s next for him
Mike McDaniel concluded his four-season tenure with the Miami Dolphins with a 35-33 regular-season record and a 0-2 mark in the playoffs. His tenure was defined by a high-octane, creative offensive system that saw the Dolphins lead the NFL in total offense in 2023 for the first time since 1994.
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His greatest achievement in Miami was leading the team to back-to-back playoff appearances in his first two seasons (2022 and 2023), as well as orchestrating a historic 70-20 victory over the Denver Broncos.
Following his dismissal on January 8, 2026, McDaniel is expected to be a top candidate for Offensive Coordinator roles on teams with established head coaches, though he might also emerge as a candidate for head coaching vacancies.
