While success has eluded the Miami Dolphins since their last playoff win in 2000, they hadn’t experienced a fall-off like this. They regressed in every significant ranking on both sides of the ball, and it was clear that when the team started off winning just two of their first nine games and GM Chris Grier left, a significant turnaround was necessary for McDaniel’s time to remain intact.
The team improved, winning five of their last eight games, but the damage had already been done. The Dolphins announced today that they have fired Mike McDaniel after four seasons with the team. McDaniel won 35 of the 68 games he coached and lost both playoff games he coached. Here are five candidates who will look to bring success back to South Beach.
John Harbaugh
As a shock to many, the Ravens decided to move on from legendary head coach John Harbaugh after 18 years. Harbaugh led the Ravens to a Super Bowl title in the 2012-13 season and won an impressive 61.4% of his games as a coach.
While it is believed that his time as a coach is far from over, the Ravens decided that this down year was enough to explore new leadership. What Harbaugh would bring to Miami is a proven leader with lots of experience and stability to a team that has been seeking to get back into the hunt.
Jesse Minter
Jesse Minter is currently the Chargers’ defensive coordinator, but has been a popular name in all open head coaching circles. One reason Minter and the Dolphins are somewhat more closely tied to each other than some other destinations is that Dolphins owner Stephen Ross is a significant donor to the University of Michigan.
Minter worked under Jim Harbaugh as the UM defensive coordinator, helping lead the team to its National Championship in 2023. The relationship that they built over this time may allow Ross to create a connection and trust with Minter.
According to PFSN’s Defense Impact Metric, the Chargers have ranked sixth and eighth in the NFL over the last two seasons, earning a B- in both years. This came after three consecutive seasons of poor defense, with the best of the three ranking No. 23 in the league. Minter would bring a lot to this Miami group immediately.
Vance Joseph
Speaking of Defensive Impact Rankings, the Denver Broncos have been the NFL’s number one defense each of the last two seasons, with Vance Joseph as their coordinator. Joseph has two years of experience as a head coach, won 11 of 32 games, and did not make the playoffs. Since then, he has made stops in Arizona and Denver and seen winning teams, so he has a better shot at success this time around if given the opportunity.
Anthony Weaver
Anthony Weaver has been the Dolphins’ defensive coordinator for the last two seasons, and year one proved more successful than year two. Miami was fourth in the NFL in yards allowed in 2024 and sixth in passing touchdowns allowed. However, to be fair, he did have some key pieces traded away, so he is not entirely to blame for the defense’s downfall. They may choose to go with Weaver, who is familiar with the personnel and Ross and is a hot candidate, having also been invited to be interviewed by Baltimore.
Kevin Stefanski
When Kevin Stefanski was fired from Cleveland, the league knew he would be one of the more experienced options on the market looking for a new home. While one of the above options may offer more upside for Miami, Stefanski provides the Dolphins with a high floor and a clear ability to compete.
He was never truly given the talent to contend, aside from the already-legendary Myles Garrett, but Miami appears poised to set its next coach up for success, much like Chicago did with Ben Johnson, understanding that the Dolphins could be competitive in their division after just a few roster adjustments.
