Just hours after his dismissal from the Miami Dolphins, former head coach Mike McDaniel has emerged as one of the most sought-after names in the NFL's coaching carousel. The 42-year-old, let go following another tough season, is already fielding significant interest for top roles across the league.
Immediate Interest and Interview Schedule
According to reports from NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, McDaniel's phone started ringing almost immediately. Within 12 hours of his departure from Miami, he was contacted by the Detroit Lions regarding their offensive coordinator position. However, the greater intrigue lies in the number of teams considering him for their head coach vacancies.
Pelissero confirms that four franchises have lined up interviews with McDaniel. The interested parties are the Cleveland Browns, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, and Tennessee Titans. NFL.com reports that his interview with the Falcons has already been completed, while meetings with the Ravens, Browns, and Titans are scheduled.
A Mixed Tenure in Miami
McDaniel's time with the Dolphins yielded a regular-season record of 35 wins and 33 losses over four years. While he guided the team to the playoffs twice, both appearances ended in defeat, casting a shadow over his tenure.
The first playoff loss came in the 2022 season under difficult circumstances. Injuries to quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa and Teddy Bridgewater forced McDaniel to start rookie Skylar Thompson in a frigid away game against the Buffalo Bills, which ended in a 34-31 defeat.
The following year, the Dolphins again qualified for the postseason, only to face another cold-weather challenge. They travelled to face the Kansas City Chiefs in one of the coldest games in NFL history, suffering a 26-7 loss.
Recent Struggles and Departure
The 2024 and 2025 seasons saw Miami miss the playoffs entirely, posting records of 8-9 and 7-10 respectively. This consistent inability to advance in the postseason or maintain a winning record ultimately led to the organisation's decision to part ways with McDaniel, making him a free agent on the coaching market.
His offensive acumen, however, remains highly regarded, explaining the swift and broad interest from other teams looking for a fresh start and strategic leadership.
