The Miami Dolphins have just finished their worst season since 2019, finishing 7-10. Their 10 losses marked the first time reaching double digits in the 2020s. The failure to meet expectations led to many wondering about head coach Mike McDaniel’s job security.
Last season, after the season ended and Miami missed out on the postseason, owner Stephen Ross issued a statement announcing McDaniel’s return for the 2025 season. Despite being under contract, the team has yet to make any official statement on McDaniel’s job. With Baltimore parting ways with head coach John Harbaugh, insiders and fans wondered whether Miami would pursue the Super Bowl-winning head coach.
ESPN insider Adam Schefter reported that seven teams had already reached out to John Harbaugh’s agent. With only six head coaching vacancies, aside from Baltimore’s opening, that meant at least one team with a head coach also reached out to Harbaugh. It has not been revealed whether that team was the Dolphins.
Insider Predicts Dolphins Head Coach
One person who does not seem to think Harbaugh is coming to Miami is Sports Illustrated’s Dolphins Insider Alain Poupart. While speaking on the Dolphins Collective show, Poupart said, “Mike McDaniel’s still the head coach. I think it is going to be Mike McDaniel in 2026.” He clarified that he was not saying whether it was the right move, but that he did not see John Harbaugh coming to Miami.
Miami Herald writer Barry Jackson seems to agree with Poupart’s assessment, as he noted that, “The Dolphins have not reached out to, or engaged with John Harbaugh in any way, according to three people with direct knowledge.” However, Jackson did add that he did not mean that they will not in the future, just that as of that moment the team had not reached out.
Prior to Harbaugh’s departure in Baltimore, everything seemed to indicate McDaniel’s return to Miami for the 2026 season. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport revealed that Mike McDaniel is expected to return for the 2026 season. However, a new report by The Athletic insider Dianna Russini has suggested that his job status may still be undecided. She said, “While conversations about a Miami future that includes Mike McDaniel are taking place, I’m told decision-makers have been pushing in interviews to hear candidates’ thoughts on a new head coach as well.”
Mike McDaniel’s Dolphins Tenure
If this were to be the end of the Mike McDaniel tenure in Miami, he would rank fifth among Dolphins head coaches in winning percentage. He led the Dolphins to back-to-back postseason appearances, the first time the team did that since the 2000 and 2001 seasons. However, he has failed to win a division title or a playoff game in his four years while leading the Dolphins.
McDaniel also faced off against John Harbaugh’s Ravens on three occasions. The first time marked Miami’s second-largest overcome deficit as they won the game after trailing by 21 points in the second half. The following two matchups went Baltimore’s way in blowouts.
Dolphins Insider Predicts Miami’s Head Coach in 2026