House Cleaning in South Beach: Dolphins Fire Mike McDaniel Amid 2026 Overhaul

MIAMI GARDENS, FL — The “optimism era” in Miami officially ran out of gas. Just three days after Mike McDaniel told reporters he expected to remain the Dolphins’ leader, owner Stephen Ross took the franchise in a different direction. The move ends a four-year tenure that started with historic offensive fireworks but crumbled under the weight of late-season collapses and a fractured locker room.

The Cold Reality of 7-10

McDaniel leaves Miami with a winning record (35-33), but the recent trend lines were impossible to ignore. After making the playoffs in his first two years, the Dolphins regressed to an 8-9 mark in 2024 and a dismal 7-10 finish this season. The team’s identity as “front-runners” became a permanent label. Miami’s loss to the Steelers in Week 15 marked their 14th consecutive defeat in games where the temperature dropped below 40 degrees.

The stadium lights dimmed on McDaniel’s tenure the moment he benched Tua Tagovailoa for seventh-round rookie Quinn Ewers in December. Tagovailoa, who signed a massive $212 million extension in 2024, struggled with both health and efficiency before the demotion. On Monday, Tagovailoa didn’t hide his frustration, telling media that a trade or release would be “dope.”

The McDaniel Era: By the Numbers

What They Said

“After careful evaluation and extensive discussions since the season ended, I have made the decision that our organization is in need of comprehensive change. I informed Mike McDaniel this morning that he has been relieved of his duties.” — Stephen Ross, Dolphins Owner

“I am disappointed, especially for the fans, that we did not have better results on the field, but I am grateful for every coach, player, and staff member who poured themselves into that vision alongside me.” — Mike McDaniel, Former Dolphins Head Coach

The 2026 Blueprint: What’s Next?

The Dolphins aren’t just looking for a coach; they are rebuilding the entire command structure. General Manager Chris Grier was ousted mid-season, and the team is currently choosing between four GM finalists: Chad Alexander (Chargers), Jon-Eric Sullivan (Packers), Josh Williams (49ers), and interim lead Champ Kelly.

Once the front office is set, the search for McDaniel’s successor begins. Rumors have already linked Miami to John Harbaugh, whose storied run in Baltimore recently ended. Whoever takes the job inherits a cap-strapped roster and a massive decision on Tyreek Hill. Hill’s season ended in September with a gruesome knee injury, and the Dolphins can save $16 million in guarantees by releasing him before March.

Miami won its last playoff game in 2000. Ross is betting that a “comprehensive change” is the only way to end that 26-year drought.