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Mike McDaniel’s dismissal unrelated to John Harbaugh, according to insider

January 8, 2026

Dolphins Part Ways with Coach McDaniel

The Miami Dolphins have decided to part ways with head coach Mike McDaniel. It’s important to note that this move isn’t directly tied to the recent availability of former Ravens head coach John Harbaugh.

Initially, there was some buzz suggesting that McDaniel’s firing might be a precursor to Miami pursuing Harbaugh. However, ESPN’s Jeff Darlington later clarified that the two situations were separate; the Dolphins weren’t letting McDaniel go just because Harbaugh was on the market.

Following a meeting with Dolphins owner Stephen Ross on Tuesday, it became clear that Ross felt a change was needed. It’s interesting to think about how these dynamics play out in professional sports. McDaniel seemed surprised by the decision, but ultimately, the Dolphins are looking for a fresh start with both a new head coach and general manager.

Darlington emphasized that McDaniel’s termination had no connection to Harbaugh’s situation. “What we’re seeing is a continuation of Ross’ ongoing struggles with McDaniel,” he noted. So, the search for a new head coach will hinge on who the team selects as the next general manager—a decision expected to happen within the next day or so.

After firing general manager Chris Grier in late October, interim GM Champ Kelly has been holding the fort, but the Dolphins are now actively interviewing potential candidates. Among those being considered are Kelly, Chad Alexander, John-Eric Sullivan, and Josh Williams. It’s just a matter of timing at this point.

Darlington pointed out an intriguing aspect of the Dolphins’ strategy: if Harbaugh is not on board with the new GM hire, things could get sticky. While the Dolphins are indeed interested in Harbaugh, their priority seems to be finding a general manager first—in a way, that could determine the direction they take with the head coach.

Ultimately, there are several qualified candidates for the coaching position, one of whom has a solid history with Harbaugh. So, as Darlington stated, “everything is still on the table.”