Dolphins’ Mike McDaniel opens up on decision to part ways with Vic Fangio

There was a major change with the Miami Dolphins this past season as the team and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio agreed to mutually split ways after only one year together. Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel spoke to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine recently and touched on the subject of Fangio and if the decision to part ways was always in the horizon.

Fangio left the Dolphins to take the same position with the Philadelphia Eagles which might not be the most surprising move since the 65-year old is a Pennsylvania native. Miami’s defense had a tumultuous season to say the least as it dealt with a bevy of injuries and finished 22nd out of 32 in points allowed.

When speaking about the relationship, McDaniel said that he would “be lying” if he thought during the season Fangio wouldn’t be a part of the Dolphins anymore. He would say though that the conversations they both had were “very healthy” in regards to the defensive coordinator leaving the position according to Bobby Kownack of NFL.com.

“In regard to the defensive coordinator transition this offseason, I’d be lying if I said I was expecting that during the season at all,” McDaniel said on Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine. “I think Vic would feel similarly. What happened was basically, I think it’s important when the season ends for you to remove emotion and evaluate and have very, very good conversations with all people that you’re depending on. With Vic and I, we had extensive conversations that were very healthy.”

McDaniel says split between Dolphins and Fangio “wasn’t anticipated”