Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel has been on the proverbial hot seat regarding his status with the NFL franchise throughout the 2025-26 NFL season.
Is McDaniel in trouble of losing his job with the Dolphins at this point?
What’s The Latest On Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel?
McDaniel has a 35-33 record in four seasons as the Dolphins’ head coach. Before taking that role, McDaniel served one season as offensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers.
Initially lauded for his innovative, offensive mind, McDaniel had worked wonders with the 49ers’ run game. Miami was thrilled to have him on board, especially after he got them to the playoffs at the end of his first season. However, they
In offering an update on Wednesday of the NFL coaching carousel, ESPN NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler shared what he has learned about McDaniel’s situation with Miami.
“As things stand, the people I’ve talked to in Miami are not expecting a change with Mike McDaniel,” Fowler reported. “With no general manager in place, it’s hard to forecast exactly what the Dolphins’ brain trust will look like.
“Miami is off and running with eight general manager candidates,” Fowler continued. “It’s noteworthy that three of the first six candidates come from the 49ers’ front office, which knows McDaniel, a Kyle Shanahan disciple, well.
“How the new GM feels about McDaniel could be a factor in the head coach’s future, but I continue to hear that McDaniel has support in important parts of the building,” according to Fowler. “Defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver is tentatively scheduled to interview with the Falcons on Saturday. He is familiar with the operation after interviewing there two years ago.”
In addition to handling OC duties with the 49ers, McDaniel has a strong track record of involvement with other NFL teams. He began as an intern with the Denver Broncos in 2005, then served as an offensive assistant with the Houston Texans for three seasons. McDaniel then spent two seasons in the United Football League as running backs coach with the Sacramento Mountain Lions.
McDaniel returned to the NFL in 2011 and began a three-year run with the Washington franchise as an offensive assistant and wide receivers coach. He then spent one season with the Cleveland Browns and two with the Atlanta Falcons before moving to the Bay Area to coach for the 49ers’ organization.
He spent four seasons as the run game coordinator for San Francisco before serving as OC for one season. According to the PFSN NFL Offense Impact metrics, the Dolphins’ offense had an impact score of 73.1 and graded out to a C.
But a report from NFL Insider Josina Anderson, shared by Yahoo Sports, indicates that the Dolphins have been in touch with John Harbaugh, who was fired by the Baltimore Ravens on Tuesday after 18 years with the organization. Of course, McDaniel is still Miami’s head coach at this moment.
The Dolphins have been in touch with John Harbaugh, per @JosinaAnderson.
Mike McDaniel is still Miami’s HC 😬 pic.twitter.com/zajHPSn9Ug
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) January 7, 2026
With his extensive NFL experience, the Dolphins were probably hoping McDaniel could bring his insights and wisdom to help Miami get back on the winning track. He’s been trying to get Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in a better spot to help the Dolphins, but it’s not been easy.
In fact, there were questions about the team’s leadership, and McDaniel had to address them at different times. With the Dolphins reportedly in line to keep McDaniel at this point, Miami owner Stephen Ross sure hopes that McDaniel can put together a big season in 2026.
