After a disappointing season, the Miami Dolphins cut ties with head coach Mike McDaniel following his four-year tenure. McDaniel ended with a 35-33 record in four seasons, which ranks fifth among Dolphins head coaches in winning percentage.
The move came as a surprise, as reports after the season indicated that McDaniel was expected to return for the 2026 season. McDaniel was one of eight head coaches fired in this cycle. The biggest name to be dismissed was Super Bowl-winning head coach John Harbaugh, who was fired after 18 seasons with Baltimore. Many made the connection between Harbaugh and the Dolphins, as owner Stephen Ross has a connection with the Harbaugh family and had gone after John’s brother, Jim, in the past.
Since the announcement of McDaniel’s firing came after Harbaugh’s dismissal, many around the NFL made the connection between the two and assumed Miami fired McDaniel to pursue him. However, ESPN’s Jeff Darlington reported that there was no correlation between the two and Miami would have fired McDaniel regardless.
Dolphins Get Discouraging Update on Potential Head Coach
Another name that had been linked to the Dolphins was current Packers head coach Matt LaFleur. With the Dolphins hiring former Packers vice president of player personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan, some speculated that Miami could go after the Packers head coach if LaFleur and Green Bay parted ways. One person who made the connection of LaFleur to the Dolphins was Packers writer Andy Herman, who said, “A lot of people will focus on Hafley, but Jon-Eric Sullivan getting the Miami job could give Matt LaFleur a ton of leverage in Green Bay depending on what happens this weekend.”
LaFleur has a year remaining on his contract in Green Bay, but after posting a 70-46-1 record in seven seasons, he was looking for a pay raise and extension. When Sullivan was hired by the Dolphins, Jeff Darlington reported that he came highly recommended by Matt LaFleur, who worked daily with him in Green Bay.
However, despite blowing a 21-3 lead to the Chicago Bears in the Wild Card round, it has now been reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter that, “The Packers now are expected to try to work out a deal in the coming days to keep head coach Matt LaFleur in Green Bay.” If an extension were to happen, that would officially end any chances of the Dolphins landing the head coach who’s made the postseason in six of his seven seasons.
Dolphins Head Coach Search
Of course, LaFleur isn’t the only name that has been linked to the Dolphins. The previously mentioned John Harbaugh is the team’s number one target, according to Miami Herald writer Barry Jackson. Unfortunately for the Dolphins, they will have plenty of competition for the former Ravens coach, as the New York Giants are firmly in the mix to land the head coach.
The Dolphins recently announced that they completed an interview with Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. Additionally, the team has requested interviews with Don Shula’s grandson Chris Shula, who is the current Rams defensive coordinator. Former Jets head coach and current San Francisco defensive coordinator Robert Saleh is also scheduled to be interviewed.
Despite the LaFleur possibility seemingly over, the Dolphins might get one of his Green Bay assistants. The team has requested an interview with Green Bay defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley.
Dolphins Get Discouraging Update in Head Coach Search