Will the Dolphins fire Mike McDaniel? Why Miami coach isn’t on hot seat despite disappointing season

Entering 2024, the Miami Dolphins are expected to be one of the top contenders in the AFC. That narrative took a major shift when quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered the latest concussion of his career.

After winning in Week 1, Tagovailoa was knocked out for several weeks in Week 2. Miami lost three straight games before picking up a 15-10 win over the New England Patriots in Week 5. Coming off a Week 6 rout. however, the Dolphins have lost three in a row to the Indianapolis Colts, Arizona Cardinals and Buffalo Bills — the last two coming with Tagovailoa back under center.

Miami is now 2-6 heading into a Week 10 ‘Monday Night Football’ matchup against the surging Los Angeles Rams, only a slightly better record than the 2-7 New Orleans Saints had when they fired Dennis Allen prior to Week 10 .If Miami continues to struggle, will the front office fire McDaniel?

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Will the Dolphins fire Mike McDaniel?

Since Stephen M. Ross bought the Dolphins in 2009, the team has had five head coaches. Tony Sparano was the coach when Ross’ purchase of the team went through, lasting until 2011. After that, it was Joe Philbin for four years, Adam Gase for three years and Brian Flores for three years before McDaniel took over in 2022.

Gase had a falling out with the team during his third season, and Flores was fired in what was expected to be the precursor to Miami then hiring Sean Payton, which didn’t happen. It’s fair to wonder if Year 3 will also be a curse for McDaniel.

McDaniel was a first-time head coach when the Dolphins hired him. He had spent one season as the San Francisco 49ers’ offensive coordinator before being hired. On the one hand, the 2-6 record so far this season is a bad look, regardless of injuries, but obviously the loss of a quarterback like Tagovailoa gives him a bit of an excuse.

McDaniel has received some goodwill and forgiveness for the injuries. In Tagovailoa’s absence, Miami went with Skyler Thompson and Tyler Huntley under center, but neither is close to Tagovailoa’s caliber of a starting quarterback. McDaniel hasn’t yet been able to get Miami an AFC East division title, but he has the team playing consistently when healthy.

If McDaniel and the Dolphins only win a handful of games the rest of the way, McDaniel could get the boot, but between his success so far and the injuries that have piled up, he likely has another season as the Dolphins’ head coach on the horizon.

Mike McDaniel contract

When he was hired in 2022, McDaniel was originally signed to a four-year deal. The front office was impressed with him during the first two years of his deal and signed him to a reported multi-year extension. The head coach was originally under contract through 2025, but with the multi-year extension, he is now likely tied to Miami through the 2027 season.

McDaniel has also crafted his offense with specific players to execute his game plan. Tyreek Hill is under contract through 2026, Jaylen Waddle through 2028, Tua Tagovailoa through 2028 and De’Von Achane through 2026 currently. Miami has worked out its offense in McDaniel’s scheme, and the front office will likely give him at least one more year without devastating injuries to see what he can do.

Mike McDaniel Coaching Record