If you’ve been following the fallout in Miami, you’ve seen the Dolphins’ front office get shaken up. General manager Chris Grier was fired after the team fell to 2–7, and Champ Kelly has taken over in the interim. Head coach Mike McDaniel is reportedly safe through the end of the season, but that hasn’t quieted speculation about what comes next.
Miami’s offense has stalled, frustration is growing, and owner Stephen Ross is already rumored to be weighing major changes. If McDaniel doesn’t return in 2026 or if he’s let go even sooner, several high-profile candidates could be in the mix. Let’s take a look at the odds for who will be the next head coach at the Miami Dolphins.
Next Miami Dolphins Head Coach Odds
| Candidate | Odds | Implied % |
|---|---|---|
| Joe Brady | +450 | 18.2% |
| Frank Smith | +600 | 14.3% |
| Mike Kafka | +900 | 10.0% |
| Todd Monken | +1200 | 7.7% |
| Anthony Weaver | +1200 | 7.7% |
| Darrell Bevell | +1400 | 6.7% |
| Zac Robinson | +1600 | 5.9% |
| Mike LaFleur | +1600 | 5.9% |
| Kevin Patullo | +1900 | 5.0% |
| Bobby Slowik | +1900 | 5.0% |
| Lou Anarumo | +2400 | 4.0% |
| Ejiro Evero | +2400 | 4.0% |
| Brian Callahan | +3200 | 3.0% |
Joe Brady Favorite To Be Next Dolphins Head Coach
Brady’s rise from LSU’s 2019 offensive architect to Buffalo’s current play-caller makes him the top name to become an NFL head coach with the Dolphins. He took over as Bills OC midseason in 2023 and stabilized Josh Allen’s offense, showing he can manage stars without overcomplicating the system.
His RPO and spacing concepts fit Tua Tagovailoa’s quick release and Tyreek Hill’s acceleration. Brady has also shown growth since his Carolina stint, he’s less gimmicky, more controlled.
He’d modernize Miami’s attack without tearing it down, keeping pace with the AFC’s high-end schemes. He’s young, adaptable, and fits Ross’ long-standing bias for offense-first hires. Brady also brings credibility with quarterbacks, a key issue for Miami’s next phase. He’s easily the favorite right now, a balance of innovation and control the organization hasn’t had since Don Shula.
Frank Smith In The Running To Replace Mike McDaniel
Smith represents the simplest route to stability. He’s McDaniel’s current offensive coordinator and knows every nuance of the motion-heavy offense Miami has built around Tua.
Before Miami, he worked for the Chargers, helping shape Justin Herbert’s early success by focusing on protection and run balance. His experience across the offense, line, tight ends, and coordination, makes him versatile and detail-oriented.
If Ross wants continuity instead of chaos, Smith offers a seamless handoff. Promoting him would preserve offensive language, limit disruption, and let Kelly evaluate from within.
The downside: optics. Promoting from a staff that just stumbled to 2–7 could look reactionary. But Smith’s reputation in league circles is strong, and his track record in player development is legitimate. He’s the safest internal pivot Miami has.
Mike Kafka Could Be A Contender For Dolphins Job
Kafka brings pedigree and perspective. A former NFL quarterback turned coach, he’s blended Andy Reid’s creativity with Brian Daboll’s discipline while serving as the Giants’ offensive coordinator and assistant head coach.
He’s already interviewed for multiple head-coaching roles and is known as an articulate, modern strategist who communicates well with players. The Giants’ uneven offensive results cloud his candidacy slightly, but insiders still view him as a future head coach.
In Miami, Kafka could restore tempo and timing to an offense that’s lost rhythm. His scheme favors quick reads and efficient spacing, ideal for Tua’s strengths. He’d also inject accountability and structure, two things the Dolphins have lacked in late-season stretches.
While not flashy, Kafka’s adaptability and professionalism fit what ownership usually looks for after a collapse. He’s a steady, high-floor candidate who could win over the room quickly.
Todd Monken In The Running To Be Next Miami Dolphins HC
Monken is the veteran option, a proven builder of efficient, detail-driven offenses. In Baltimore, he’s helped Lamar Jackson develop into a more measured passer while maintaining a dominant ground game.
His play-action sequencing and tempo control could give Miami more balance and poise. Under Monken, expect fewer gimmicks, fewer wasted motions, and a steadier diet of power football mixed with efficient play design.
He’s also held head-coaching and coordinator posts across the college and pro ranks, giving him an installation edge. If Miami wants someone to set structure after McDaniel’s volatility, Monken fits.
The main question is availability. He just extended with the Ravens, but his style matches exactly what the Dolphins lack, organization and complementary football. Monken would make Miami more sustainable week to week.
Anthony Weaver Could Reset The Dolphins Culture
Weaver already knows the Dolphins’ locker room and has gained real traction as a leadership candidate. He came from Baltimore, where he was assistant head coach and defensive line coach, and immediately earned respect in Miami’s building as their DC.
Players respond to him. He’s direct, respected, and builds accountability through action. Promoting him would mark a philosophical shift toward toughness and defense, the traits Miami fans have been demanding.
Weaver has been a finalist for NFL head jobs before, and his track record developing defensive fronts is excellent. He’d likely hire an experienced offensive coordinator and focus on fixing the discipline and finishing issues that plague Miami late in games.
If Ross and Kelly want to keep one foot inside the current structure but reboot the tone, Weaver makes sense. He’s a leader first, tactician second, and that’s what the Dolphins might need most right now.
