On Monday, Janurary 5, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel told reporters he’d be part of the interview process for the next GM. Days later, on Thursday, McDaniel was relieved of his duties as head coach.
Miami is now one of eight teams that need a new head coach for 2026. They join the Falcons, Titans, Giants, Browns, Ravens, Cardinals, and Raiders. Mike McDaniel was hired ahead of the 2022 season as head coach of the Dolphins. Over four years, he was 35-33 and made the playoffs twice.
Mike McDaniel is the eighth head coach to be fired
ESPN Sources: Dolphins fired head coach Mike McDaniel.
Dolphins owner Stephen Ross met with McDaniel this week to discuss the season. After that meeting and reflection, Ross decided to move on. pic.twitter.com/tp9TnpGQ1l
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 8, 2026
In August 2024, Mike McDaniel signed a three-year extension with the Dolphins. Roughly 16 months later, McDaniel is no longer the head coach in Miami. The 42-year-old was relieved of his duties on Thursday, January 8. Miami finished the 2025 season 7-10 and missed the playoffs for a second consecutive season. Earlier this week, Mike McDaniel met with team owner Steven Ross. He told the media, “After careful evaluation and extensive discussions since the season ended, I have made the decision that our organization is in need of comprehensive change.”
Stevn Ross expressed his thanks to Mike McDaniel for his commitment and time spent with the Dolphins over the last four seasons. However, Ross was not comfortable moving forward with what he called the “status quo.” Mike McDaniel’s firing comes at a unique time for the Dolphins. Miami fired its GM mid-season and is expected to hire a candidate as soon as tomorrow, according to ESPN’s Jeff Darlington.
The Dolphins need to hire a new GM before they find a head coach
Some context into the Dolphins' decision to fire Mike McDaniel, per multiple people involved in the decision: Owner Steve Ross met with McDaniel on Tuesday, and the outcome of the meeting left Ross very conflicted. He really likes Mike — "loves his intelligence and offensive…
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) January 8, 2026
The firing of Mike McDaniel happened after the news that John Harbaugh was let go by the Ravens. Harbaugh is now the hottest name in this head coaching cycle. Several teams would love to add his leadership to their team. Are the Dolphins going to add themselves into the mix? Jeff Darlington said those decisions will come after the team hires its new GM.
Miami has four candidates in mind for their next general manager. That includes interim Dolphins GM Champ Kelly, 49ers’ Josh Williams, Packers’ Jon-Eric Sullivan, and Chargers’ Chad Alexander. Jeff Darlington noted that Alexander is very close to former Ravens head coach John Harbaugh. If Alexander is hired by Miami as their next GM, that could attract Harbaugh to Miami. The Dolphins are one of two teams searching for their next GM and one of eight looking for a new head coach.
