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Fins Up, Fins Down | Week Eighteen

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Now that the Miami Dolphins’ disastrous 2025 campaign has finally concluded, it’s time for a wellness check for this franchise’s fanbase.

How are we feeling at the beginning of the offseason for Miami?

What are your feelings on keeping Mike McDaniel as the team’s head coach for another season? Would you be interested in firing him in order to get a formal interview with former Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh scheduled? If Miami let go of McDaniel, but didn’t land Harbaugh, what would your backup plan be if you were general manager? Speaking of… who is going to be the team’s next general manager?

There are a lot of moving pieces the Dolphins need to get situated before we can fully turn our attention to the 2026 NFL Draft and subsequent free-agency period, which means there isn’t a shortage of excitement surrounding this organization. Buckle up!

Fins Up​


This week’s Fins Up personality is… well, it’s us, the fans! We deserve some recognition for sitting through a mostly miserable year, yet never letting our fandom waiver. We’ve been through plenty of tough times as Dolphins fans, so I believe we’ve been calloused enough to handle whatever adversity comes our way. After all, as McDaniel always says, “Adversity is opportunity!”

Here’s hoping that we never have to hear that saying again…

Yes, this season took us on a rollercoaster-ride of emotions, but here we are, on the other side, ready to be hurt again! One of these years, the team will get it right and reward us for our undying devotion. 2026 isn’t looking too good, but if the team can somehow pull off a miracle this offseason (Malik Willis? John Harbaugh? A competent GM?), we will still find some room in our black hearts for some optimism.

Fins Down​


This week’s Fins Down personality is quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. The former number five overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft lost his starting job to 7th round rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers for the team’s final three games this season, and was asked about the possibility of getting a “fresh start” elsewhere next season.

Instead of responding diplomatically, as we’ve come to expect from franchise quarterbacks, Tagovailoa simply said, “That would be dope.”

I fully get why the 27-year-old would want to leave the Dolphins if he was not given the opportunity to compete for a starting job next year — but that doesn’t seem to be the case, at least if McDaniel remains the head coach. Yes, plenty of rumors are swirling about Miami wanting to move on from the former Alabama quarterback this offseason, but at this stage, that’s all they are… rumors.

McDaniel even said himself that he believes there are two quarterbacks currently on the roster who could compete to start in 2026 — presumably Tagovailoa and Ewers. However, it sounds like Miami’s left-handed passer would like to leave South Florida in the rearview mirror.

We’ll see how things play out as the offseason unfolds, but if Tagovailoa has played his last down as a member of the Miami Dolphins, I’ll choose the high-road (someone has to) and will remember his contributions to the exciting years of 2022 and 2023 fondly.
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Source: https://www.thephinsider.com/general/113901/fins-up-fins-down-week-eighteen
 
Dolphins GM search: Four finalists set for in-person interviews

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The Miami Dolphins’ search for a new general manager is advancing quickly, with the team dropping their initial eight candidates to a final four on Wednesday. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Miami is setting up in-person interviews with Los Angeles Chargers assistant general manager Chad Alexander, Green Bay Packers Vice President of player personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan, San Francisco 49ers director of scouting and football operations Josh Williams, and Dolphins interim general manager Champ Kelly.

The team held a first round of virtual interviews Tuesday and Wednesday with the four finalists as well as 49ers Vice President of player personnel Tariq Ahmad, 49ers assistant GM RJ Gillen, Philadelphia Eagles assistant GM Alec Halaby, and Los Angeles Rams assistant GM John McKay.

The Dolphins moved on from former GM Chris Grier during the 2025 NFL season and have been preparing their attack plan for how to find and hire their next GM over the past couple of months. They are now executing that plan, and they are doing it quickly.
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Source: https://www.thephinsider.com/miami-...had-alexander-jon-eric-sullivan-josh-williams
 
Dolphins ‘expect’ to make GM decision ‘by tomorrow’

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The Miami Dolphins are not messing around as they look to rebuild a franchise that has underperformed the last two seasons. The 2025 NFL regular season ended on Sunday, the Dolphins began requesting interviews for their vacant general manager position on Monday, they conducted an initial round of virtual interviews on Tuesday, cut their list to a final four of candidates on Wednesday, and fired head coach Mike McDaniel on Thursday. The team is moving quickly and decisively in 2026, and they do not seem to be slowing down.

According to ESPN’s Jeff Darlington, a former Dolphins beat reporter, the Dolphins “expect to make a decision on their new GM by tomorrow.” Darlington adds Dolphins interim GM Champ Kelly interviewed to stay on as the team’s permanent GM on Wednesday, while Los Angeles Chargers assistant general manager Chad Alexander, Green Bay Packers Vice President of player personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan, and San Francisco 49ers director of scouting and football operations Josh Williams all flew into Miami Wednesday night for Thursday interviews.

Darlington, in a separate post on X, explained the Dolphins’ plan to start their head coaching search “after a GM is in place.” There is speculation that the Dolphins are targeting John Harbaugh, the former Baltimore Ravens head coach who was fired this week, as their primary option to replace McDaniel, but Darlington says the decision to fire McDaniel was not tied to the sudden availability of Harbaugh.

“Yes, it obviously could lead to discussions with Harbaugh,” Darlington wrote. “And yes, one of the GM candidates is very close to Harbaugh. But people close to the situation tell me this decision to fire Mike would have been made either way.”

The GM candidate referenced as “very close to Harbaugh” is Alexander, who was in the Ravens’ front office from 1999 to 2019.

Darlington’s post agrees with multiple posts from the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson which state the Dolphins, as of Thursday morning, had not made any calls to Harbaugh or “anyone in his camp.” Jackson has said the Dolphins have not had discussions with Harbaugh’s camp, including that they “did not seek assurances or ask for odds that Harbaugh would join [the] Dolphins before they fired [McDaniel].”

There have been conflicting reports from other sources that indicate Miami is believed to have at least reached out to Harbaugh after he was relieved of his duties with Baltimore.

If the Dolphins are able to hire their next GM by Friday, it will open the team to their head coach search over the weekend and into next week. The new GM would presumably be involved in that search, assisting with the hire of a cohesive unit for the Dolphins moving into 2026.
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Source: https://www.thephinsider.com/miami-...-head-coach-john-harbaugh-mike-mcdaniel-fired
 
Miami Dolphins head coach search: Potential candidates to replace Mike McDaniel

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The Miami Dolphins fired head coach Mike McDaniel on Thursday, ending his four-year stint with the team following a 7-10 2025 regular season. The rumors and speculation has Miami looking toward former Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh as their top choice to take over the reins of a team that has not won a playoff game since 2000, but there are plenty of suitors for Harbaugh and there is no guarantee he lands in Miami. Who is could be on the list of possible hires?

The Dolphins are expected to fill their vacant general manager position before moving to their coaching search, but reports indicate that move could comes as early as tomorrow. Whenever Miami does get their front office hire completed, the list of coaches who could be on the radar could prove expansive.

Rooney Rule considerations​


The NFL requires teams to interview minoirity candidates for vacancies in both the general manager and head coaching positions. The rule, initially introduced in 2003, has been modified over the years and, as of 2020, requires teams to interview at least two minority candidates for the head coaching position, and those interviews must be of coaches from outside the organization. For the Dolphins this year, that would mean an interview with defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, though a minority, would not count as meeting the Rooney Rule requirement.

The rule is not without controversy, including a lawsuit filed by former Dolphins head coach Brian Flores who, in 2022, alleged he had interviews prior to being hired by Miami that were simply to meet the Rooney Rule requirements and were not actual considerations for a vacant head coaching position. That litigation is still ongoing.

The NFL added a stipulation in 2020 that rewards teams for developing minority candidates. A team is awarded third-round draft picks if it has a minority candidate hired away from them for a head coaching or general manager position.

Former head coaches​


Harbaugh is the obvious name in this category, but several coaches could bring valuable experience to Miami, having already served as a head coach elsewhere. Miami’s last seven head coaching hires (McDaniel in 2022, Brian Flores in 2019, Adam Gase in 2016, Joe Philbin in 2012, Tony Sparano in 2008, Cam Cameron in 2007, and Nick Saban in 2005) have all been first-time NFL head coaches. The last time the Dolphins won a game in the playoffs was in 2000, when Dave Wannstedt, who had been the Chicago Bears head coach before joining Miami, was in his first year as the team’s head coach. It might be time for Miami to consider a “retread” coach instead of trying to find the next great rookie for the position.

Here is a list of potential targets for the Dolphins, with their head coaching and coordinator experiences, along with career highlights:

  • Brian Daboll
    • New York Giants head coach (2022-2025)
    • Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator (2018-2021)
    • Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator (2012)
    • Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator (2011)
    • Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator (2009-2010)
  • Jason Garrett
    • New York Giants offensive coordinator (2020-2021)
    • Dallas Cowboys head coach (2011-2019)
    • Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator (2007-2010)
    • Miami Dolphins ties:
      • Quarterbacks coach (2005-2006)
      • Quarterback (2004)
  • John Harbaugh
    • Baltimore Ravens head coach (2008-2025)
      • Super Bowl XLVII champion
      • 2019 Coach of the Year
    • Philadelphia Eagles special teams coordinator (19998-2006)
  • Vance Joseph
    • Denver Broncos defensive coordinator (2023-Present)
    • Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator (2019-2022)
    • Denver Broncos head coach (2017-2018)
    • Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator (2016)
  • Kliff Kingsbury
    • Washington Commanders offensive coordinator (2024-2025)
    • Arizona Cardinals head coach (2019-2022)
  • Mike McCarthy
    • Dallas Cowboys head coach (2020-2024)
    • Green Bay Packers head coach (2006-2018)
      • Super Bowl XLV champion
    • San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator (2005)
    • New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator (2000-2004)
  • Raheem Morris
    • Atlanta Falcons head coach (2024-2025)
    • Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator (2021-2023)
      • Super Bowl LVI champion
    • Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator/interim head coach (2020)
    • Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach (2009-2011)
  • Matt Nagy
    • Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator (2023-Present)
      • Super Bowl LVIII champion
    • Chicago Bears head caoch (2018-2021)
    • Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator (2016-2017)
  • Robert Saleh
    • San Francisco 49ers defenisve coordinator (2025-Present)
    • New York Jets head coach (2021-2024)
    • San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator (2017-2020)
  • Jim Schwartz
    • Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator (2023-Present)
    • Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator (2016-2020)
    • Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator (2014)
    • Detroit Lions head coach (2009-2013)
    • Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator (2001-2008)
  • Arthur Smith
    • Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator (2024-Present)
    • Atlanta Falcons head coach (2021-2023)
    • Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator (2019-2020)
  • Steve Spagnuolo
    • Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator (2019-Present)
    • New York Giants defensive coordinator (2015-2017)
    • New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator (2012)
    • St. Louis Rams head coach (2009-2011)
    • New York Giants defensive coordinator (2007-2008)
  • Kevin Stafanski
    • Cleveland Browns head coach (2020-2025)
      • 2020 Coach of the Year
      • 2023 Coach of the Year
    • Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator (2019)

Coaches who could be first-time head coaches​


If the Dolphins look to return to the younger-coach well, some rising stars could be in line for their first shot at the top coaching position. This year seems like one in which defensive coordinators are swinging back toward the top of the lists after years of offensive coordinators having the easier path to a head coaching position. Two names from the defensive side of the ball have Dolphins ties: Miami’s current defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver and the Los Angeles Rams’ Chris Shula, the grandson of Dolphins legendary Hall of Fame coach Don Shula.

Here are some of the coordinator names who could find themselves on Miami’s list of potential head coaches:

  • Lou Anarumo
    • Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator (2025-Present)
    • Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator (2019-2024)
    • Miami Dolphins ties:
      • Defensive backs coach (2012-2017)
        • Interim defensive coordinator (2015)
  • Matt Burke
    • Houston Texans defensive coordinator (2023-Present)
    • Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator (2017-2018)
      • Linebackers coach (2016)
  • Joe Brady
    • Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator (2024-Present)
    • Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator (2020-2021)
  • Thomas Brown
    • New England Patriots passing game coordinator (2025-Present)
    • Chicago Bears offensive coordinator/interim head coach (2024)
    • Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator (2023)
  • Aden Durde
    • Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator (2024-Present)
  • Jeff Hafley
    • Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator (2024-Present)
  • Klint Kubiak
    • Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator (2025-Present)
    • New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator (2024)
    • Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator (2021)
  • Mike LaFleur
    • Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator (2023-Present)
    • New York Jets offensive coordinator (2021-2022)
  • Jesse Minter
    • Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator (2024-Present)
  • Todd Monken
    • Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator (2023-Present)
    • Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator (2019)
    • Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator (2016-2018)
  • Dan Pitcher
    • Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator (2024-Present)
  • Tommy Rees
    • Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator (2025-Present)
  • Darren Rizzi
    • Denver Broncos special teams coordinator (2025-Present)
    • New Orleans Saints special teams coordinator (2019-2024)
      • Interim head coach (2024)
    • Miami Dolphins special teams coordinator (2010-2018)
  • Chris Shula
    • Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator (2024-Present)
  • Anthony Weaver
    • Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator (2024-Present)
    • Houston Texans defensive coordinator (2020)
  • Davis Webb
    • Denver Broncos offensive pass game coordinator (2025)
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Source: https://www.thephinsider.com/miami-...le-interviews-2026-mike-mcdaniel-fired-search
 
Dolphins get their man; Jon-Eric Sullivan hired as new General Manager

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According to numerous reports from respected National Football League insiders, the Miami Dolphins are working to hire their new general manager this morning — Jon-Eric Sullivan, previously of the Green Bay Packers.

Sullivan was reportedly Miami’s number one choice all along, and is now in position to succeed longtime Dolphins GM Chris Grier (and interim GM Champ Kelly) as the the franchise’s new decision maker in regards to team personnel.

The 40-year-old rising executive had been with Green Bay since 2003 where he began his career as a scouting intern. Over the past two decades, Sullivan has worked his way up the ladder — eventually taking over as vice president of player personnel in 2022.

Sullivan’s father, Jerry Sullivan, has ties to Miami — as he was the team’s wide receiver’s coach in 2004.

The Dolphins now turn their full attention towards hiring a new head coach to lead the team after the recent firing of former head coach Mike McDaniel. While Sullivan reportedly would not be former Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh’s preferred general manager choice — that would be Chad Alexander who he worked with for many seasons in Baltimore — Sullivan is highly regarded within league circles and shouldn’t preclude the team from interviewing the highly sought after former Super Bowl winning coach.
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Source: https://www.thephinsider.com/miami-...on-eric-sullivan-hired-as-new-general-manager
 
Dolphins fire Mike McDaniel – The Splash Zone 1/9/26

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Mike McDaniel is out as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins after 4 seasons. There has been plenty of speculation on his job status with a new general manager set to be brought in but it just makes sense to pair a new GM with their head coach choice. Which is why Chad Alexander is such fascinating name as he has a connection with John Harbaugh. It’s going to be a fresh start in Miami and it will be interesting to see how the rest of the offseason plays out and it’s probably safe to assume a rebuild is on the way.

You can check out that story here, and the rest of the day’s round-up below.

Dolphins fire coach Mike McDaniel after 7-10 season
The Miami Dolphins have fired coach Mike McDaniel, the team announced Thursday.

Dolphins General Manager Search​


Dolphins take the next step with half of their general manager candidates, announce four in-person interviews
Miami is taking the next step with several of their GM candidates this

Dolphins Head Coach Search​


Dissecting the Decision to Move On from McDaniel
The Miami Dolphins have decided to make a coaching change four days after the end of their 2025 season

Mike McDaniel Was the First Casualty of the Harbaugh Wars
Expect the former Dolphins coach to now be a top candidate or break the bank as an offensive coordinator.

Breaking Down McDaniel’s Reaction and Future Possibilities
The former Miami Dolphins released a statement after being fired

Dolphins fire Mike McDaniel: Here are five potential coaches who could replace him in Miami
It’s a full reset for the Miami Dolphins organization

Breaking Down 18 Head Coaching Candidates for Miami Dolphins
We decided to leave no stone unturned in our breakdown of Miami’s head coaching options.

Dolphins Coaching Staff​


The Dolphins have another head coaching storyline brewing — and almost no one is talking about it
Mike McDaniel, John Harbaugh — but what about the OTHER storyline playing out?

Dolphins Quarterbacks​


Should the Dolphins Consider Ty Simpson in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The Alabama QB declared for the draft Wednesday.

Zach Wilson on time with Miami Dolphins: ‘I wish I could have played’
When the Miami Dolphins made the call to see what they had in Quinn Ewers as the season fell into foregone conclusions, starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was not the only one left watching.

Dolphins Offseason​


Miami Dolphins’ Top 10 offseason priorities | Schad
Mike McDaniel was asked to describe his four seasons as Miami Dolphins coach and he did not mince words.

Phinsider News You May Have Missed​


Dolphins have a tough schedule in 2026 – The Splash Zone 1/7/26
Welcome to the Splash Zone, the quickest way to get your day started off right. We bring you a rundown of Miami Dolphins news from the last 24 hours.

Fins Up, Fins Down | Week Eighteen
Let’s give ourselves a round of applause for sitting through the Miami Dolphins’ 2025 rollercoaster ride.

Five Things I Think I Think About the Miami Dolphins – Week 18
jejune (adj) – causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest

Anthony Weaver requested to interview for second head coaching job
The Miami Dolphins may be in the John Harbaugh sweepstakes — or they may not be.

2025 Miami Dolphins fan reactions: How do you feel about the team heading into the offseason?
The last SB Nation Reacts survey for the 2025 Miami Dolphins season is here. How are you feeling about the direction of the team heading into the offseason?

Dolphins’ interest in Harbaugh “not as concrete” as previously thought
The Dolphins may have interest in Harbaugh, but no contact between the two parties just yet.

Mike McDaniel fired as Miami Dolphins head coach
The Miami Dolphins have fired head coach Mike McDaniel.

Dolphins ‘expect’ to make GM decision ‘by tomorrow’
The Miami Dolphins are making decisive moves this offseason, and they are making them quickly. A new GM could be in place by this weekend.

Miami Dolphins head coach search: Potential candidates to replace Mike McDaniel
Taking a look at the possible candidates to replace Mike McDaniel as the Miami Dolphins head coach.
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Source: https://www.thephinsider.com/the-sp...lash-zone-1-9-26-john-harbaugh-chad-alexander
 
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