The Time to Act is Now, Mr. Ross

The Time to Act is Now, Mr. Ross

Stephen Ross has owned the Miami Dolphins for a better part of 16 years.

He took over a model NFL Franchise with a very rich history.

And he turned it into a circus.  Yes, a circus!

Let’s go down the list of what has happened under his watch:

• He had Tony Sparano as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins heading into the 2011 offseason.  He failed to fire him and pursued the then Stanford Head Coach, Jim Harbaugh, in a not-so-private way.  Jim Harbaugh turned down Ross’s advances, noting that he would not accept the job because they already had someone in that position (Sparano).  The relationship of the current coach was so bad that he handed him a contract extension as an apology, only to fire him once the season ended.  Harbaugh ended up with the San Francisco 49ers the following offseason.
• In 2013, the Miami Dolphins were rocked by a “scandal” involving Richie Incognito and Jonathan Martin for supposed harassment (Bullygate).  Incognito was ultimately suspended, and the NFL conducted an investigation into the team.  The scandal led to Martin leaving the team and drew national attention to the NFL workplace culture.
• In 2019, Stephen Ross told then-coach Brian Flores to tank and would get paid additional monies, while also setting up a secret meeting with future NFL Free Agent, QB Tom Brady, on his private yacht.  The NFL investigated tanking and tampering, leading to Stephen Ross being suspended through October of 2022, fined $1.5 million, and losing the 2023 first-round pick and the 2024 3rd-round pick.

All of this for what?  Continued mediocrity?

The Miami Dolphins’ record under Stephen Ross is 118-133 (47% win).

Before his tenure, the Miami Dolphins were 377-272 (58% win).  Mistake after mistake, Stephen Ross continues to fumble, and this week is the latest example.

After another dreadful season (7-10), he continues to employ Mike McDaniel.  While the Dolphins haven’t publicly stated that Mike will be back for 2026, they are operating as such and have fallen behind the 8-ball in the interview process.  But something changed, and Mr Ross now needs to take action.

The Baltimore Ravens have fired long-time head coach John Harbaugh on January 6th.  John Harbaugh is the type of coach who can change the culture, a culture that desperately needs it.

Harbaugh leaves the Ravens with a 180-113 record (61% win), a Super Bowl title, multiple division titles, and CONSISTENCY in winning.

That is something the Dolphins haven’t had since the days of Don Shula—consistency in winning.

Harbaugh’s dismissal in Baltimore had more to do with a fresh start for him than anything else, in my opinion.  And now it is time for the full court press.  John Harbaugh can come into Miami Gardens and completely reshape this franchise for the better.

Make it competitive, stable, and most importantly, get back to its glory days.  He would be coming into a situation where he needs to rebuild and reface this roster to his liking.  Will it be an overnight success?  Possibly not, but he hit the ground running in his first season as head coach with the Ravens back in 2008.

The most significant factor in all of this is you, Stephen Ross.  The time to act is now.

Fire Mike McDaniel, hire a General Manager who can put their fingerprints on this roster day one.  Bring in a head coach with winning experience, a veteran, not the hot, flashy, no-name coordinator that you have come to love since hiring your first coach, Joe Philbin, in 2012.

It’s time to change the way you view your $9 billion-dollar franchise.  Restore faith in this once proud organization.

Give your fan base something to look forward to in 2026 and beyond.  Swing for the fences and hit a home run for once. We are tired of you striking out where it matters most.  Treat the Dolphins like you treat Hudson Yards and your project in West Palm Beach.  It’s time to build a winning NFL franchise once again.

Will you act, Mr. Ross?  We are watching…