Photo: designer491 / iStock / Getty Images
Miami, FL - The Miami Dolphins have made a major leadership change after a disappointing season that fell well short of expectations.
The team announced it has fired head coach Mike McDaniel following a 7-10 finish in the 2025 NFL season, marking the second straight year Miami failed to reach the playoffs.
The decision ends McDaniel’s four-year tenure with the franchise, which began in 2022 with high hopes and early postseason appearances.
McDaniel, 42, led the Dolphins to playoff berths in his first two seasons, but both runs ended in first-round losses.
Ryan Gorman and Dana McKay cover this story and more on The Ryan Gorman Show:
Over four years, he compiled an overall record just above .500, but the team was unable to take the next step toward becoming a consistent contender.
The 2025 season unraveled quickly. Miami opened the year 1-6 before putting together a midseason rally that briefly revived playoff hopes.
Those hopes were effectively extinguished after a late-season loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, which confirmed the Dolphins would miss the postseason again.
The result extended the franchise’s long-standing playoff victory drought, which remains the longest active streak in the NFL.
The coaching change follows earlier front office upheaval, as the Dolphins parted ways with longtime general manager Chris Grier in late October.
Owner Stephen Ross has indicated the organization will conduct a thorough search for a new general manager before finalizing the next head coach.
Quarterback instability and inconsistent performances across the roster contributed to the disappointing campaign, despite occasional flashes of promise.
With both the front office and coaching staff in transition, the Dolphins are now entering a critical offseason aimed at resetting the direction of the franchise.