With Mike McDaniel Fired, Who is Favored to be the Next Head Coach for Miami in 2026? Who Should Replace Mike McDaniel in 2026?
Full Story on McDaniel Being Fired as Miami’s Head Coach
The Dolphins have now failed to qualify for the playoffs in back-to-back years for the first time in the Mike McDaniel era. In fact, Miami suffered its first 10-loss season since going 5-11 in 2019. Following Sunday’s season finale loss vs. Patriots, the 7-10 team fired McDaniel after four seasons as head coach. The South Florida-based organization previously dismissed General Manager Chris Grier on October 31 and Champ Kelly filled the role on an interim basis.
The Dolphins will now be searching for their fifth head coach over the past decade. Miami started poorly in 2025 with 1-6 in its first seven games. But then they went on a 5-1 run before losing three of their remaining four contests. Perhaps the football squad’s biggest win of this season came on November 9, where they defeated the Buffalo Bills at home 30-13. The Dolphins also played an international game in Madrid, Spain, where they edged out the Washington Commanders in overtime 16-13.
Over the past several years, the football squad drafted some first round prospects such as DT Kenneth Grant (Michigan, 2025), DE Chop Robinson (Penn State, 2024), WR Jaylen Waddle (Alabama, 2021), and QB Tua Tagovailoa (Alabama, 2020). The Dolphins became the eighth NFL team to change head coaches this season along with John Harbaugh (Ravens), Jonathan Gannon (Cardinals), Kevin Stefanski (Browns), Pete Carroll (Raiders), Brian Daboll (Giants), Brian Callahan (Titans), and Raheem Morris (Falcons).
Mike McDaniel’s Career with the Miami Dolphins
McDaniel took over as the leading man in South Florida in 2022 after the dismissal of Brian Flores. The former guided the Dolphins to two straight playoff berths, the first such consecutive trips since 1997-2001. However, Miami has not won a postseason game since beating the Colts in the 2000 wild card round. In addition, the team is seeking its first AFC East Division title since 2008. Most importantly, the Dolphins want to win the Super Bowl for the first time since 1973. Overall, McDaniel compiled a 35-33 record and 0-2 in the playoffs.
Before becoming the Dolphins’ head coach, McDaniel served as the 49ers’ offensive coordinator (2021) and run game coordinator (2017-2020). He took San Francisco to the Super Bowl in early 2020, but lost to Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. McDaniel was also the offensive assistant for the Falcons (2015-2016), where he guided Atlanta to the NFL Championship Game berth in early 2017. He had prior experience coaching wide receivers for the Cleveland Browns (2014) and Washington Redskins (2013).
What’s Next for the Miami Dolphins?
Many Dolphins football fans might wonder: Who is the leading candidate to replace Mike McDaniel in 2026? The top coaches in consideration listed in this article have prior coaching experience. In addition, those candidates have been on the coaching staff for at least five years. Please refer to the information below for the list of top candidates to replace McDaniel as Miami Dolphins Head Coach!
Possible Candidates to Replace Mike McDaniel as Miami HC
Internal Candidates
Anthony Weaver-Miami Dolphins
- Jets Assistant DL Coach (2012)
- Bills DL Coach (2013)
- Browns DL Coach (2014-2015)
- Texans DL Coach (2016-2019)
- Texans DC & DL Coach (2020)
- Ravens DL Coach (2021)
- Ravens Associate HC (2022-2023)
- Dolphins Defensive Coordinator (2024-Present)
- Took Baltimore to AFC Championship Game in Early 2024
Top Head Coach Candidates for Miami Dolphins to Consider
John Harbaugh-Baltimore Ravens
- Morehead State Special Teams Coordinator (1988)
- Cincinnati Special Teams Coordinator (1989-1996)
- Indiana DB Coach (1997)
- Eagles Special Teams Coordinator (1998-2006)
- Eagles DB Coach (2007)
- Ravens HC (2008-2025)
- 2012 Super Bowl Champion with Baltimore
- 4 AFC Championship Game Berths with Ravens
- Guided Philadelphia to Super Bowl in 2004
- 4 NFC Championship Game Appearances with Eagles
Vance Joseph-Denver Broncos
- 49ers Assistant DB Coach (2005)
- 49ers DB Coach (2006-2010)
- Texans DB Coach (2011-2013)
- Bengals DB Coach (2014-2015)
- Dolphins Defensive Coordinator (2016)
- Broncos Head Coach (2017-2018)
- Dolphins Defensive Coordinator (2019-2022)
- Miami Co-Interim Head Coach (2021)
- Broncos Defensive Coordinator (2023-Present)
- Took Denver to #1 Seed in the AFC Conference in 2025
Klint Kubiak-Seattle Seahawks
- Kansas WR Coach (2015)
- Broncos Offense Coach (2016-2018)
- Vikings QB Coach (2019-2020)
- Vikings OC (2021)
- Broncos Pass Game Coordinator (2022)
- 49ers Pass Game Coordinator (2023)
- Saints OC (2024)
- Seahawks OC (2025-Present)
- Led Seattle to #1 Seed in the NFC Conference in 2025
- Coached in Super Bowl for San Francisco in 2023
Chris Shula-Los Angeles Rams
- Ball State Assistant LB Coach (2010)
- Indiana Graduate Assistant (2011-2013)
- John Carroll DC (2014)
- Chargers Defense Qualities Coach (2015-2016)
- Rams LB Coach (2017-2021)
- Los Angeles Pass Game Coordinator (2022-2023)
- Rams DC (2024-Present)
- Super Bowl Champion with Los Angeles in 2021
Leading Candidate to Replace Mike McDaniel as Dolphins HC in 2026
Jeff Hafley-Green Bay Packers
- Pittsburgh DB Coach (2008-2010)
- Rutgers DB Coach (2011)
- Buccaneers DB Coach (2012-2013)
- Browns DB Coach (2014-2015)
- 49ers DB Coach (2016-2018)
- Ohio State Co-DC & DB Coach (2019)
- Boston College HC (2020-2023)
- Packers DC (2024-Present)
- Led Golden Eagles to 2023 Fenway Bowl Victory
- Guided Green Bay to Two Playoff Berths
- Also Took Buckeyes to College Football Playoff in 2019
Other Coaching Carousel Updates in the NFL:
Kliff Kingsbury (Commanders OC)
Jonathan Gannon (Cardinals HC)
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