Sawt Falasteen - Dolphins fire head coach McDaniel after four seasons

McDaniel, 42, is the sixth head coach in the 32-team NFL to be sacked since the regular season drew to a close last weekend, paying the price for a disappointing 7-10 season.

"After careful evaluation and extensive discussions since the season ended, I have made the decision that our organization is in need of comprehensive change," Dolphins owner Stephen Ross said in a statement.

"I informed Mike McDaniel this morning that he has been relieved of his duties as head coach."

McDaniel was hired in 2022 and made an instant impact, leading the Dolphins back to the postseason after a five-year absence. They lost both times in the wild card round.

The Dolphins returned to the playoffs in 2023 after an 11-6 regular season campaign -- their best performance in more than a decade -- but were once again eliminated in the first round.

That bright start was followed by back-to-back losing seasons, prompting Ross to fire McDaniel.

The Baltimore Ravens, Arizona Cardinals, Las Vegas Raiders, Cleveland Browns and Atlanta Falcons have all fired their head coaches since the end of the season.

"I love Mike and want to thank him for his hard work, commitment, and the energy he brought to our organization," Ross added in a statement. "Mike is an incredibly creative football mind whose passion for the game and his players was evident every day. I wish him and his family the best moving forward."

McDaniel, who departs with a 35-33 overall record with the Dolphins, said coaching the club had been "the honor of a lifetime."

"When I took this job, I had a vision of a team that was bonded together and played with passion and energy on the path to winning championships," McDaniel said in a statement.

"I gave everything I had for that goal. 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."

K.AbuDahab--SF-PST