Why Dolphins owner Stephen Ross reportedly fired Mike McDaniel, could pass on John Harbaugh 

In December, a report suggested that Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross could retain head coach Mike McDaniel after the 2025 Dolphins went from 1-6 to 6-7 under McDaniel's watch. 

Miami ultimately finished the season with a record of 7-10, and Ross confirmed on Thursday that he had relieved McDaniel of his duties "after careful evaluation and extensive discussions" left Ross believing the Dolphins are "in need of comprehensive change." 

Later on Thursday, Dolphins reporter Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN expanded on Ross' mindset. 

"There was a limit to" Stephen Ross' patience

"According to a team source, Ross' patience through the poor start to the season was rooted in his belief in the process -- and McDaniel's ability to execute it," Louis-Jacques explained. "But there was a limit to that patience if the Dolphins' on-field product didn't improve."

Under McDaniel, the Dolphins reached the playoffs in his first two seasons (2022, 2023). However, he tallied no postseason wins over those trips, and the Dolphins finished the 2024 campaign with an 8-9 mark. 

That said, Dolphins players routinely defended McDaniel amid whispers related to his job security. Such votes of confidence proved to matter little after Miami closed this season with three losses in four games. 

"It's worth noting that players didn't quit on McDaniel despite numerous opportunities to," Louis-Jacques added. "This isn't a situation where he necessarily lost the locker room, but this was his fourth season with a hand-picked roster; at this level, results have to matter."

The inevitable John Harbaugh rumors

Even before Ross showed McDaniel the door, some linked the Dolphins with former Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh. Both Ross and Los Angeles Chargers assistant general manager Chad Alexander are quite familiar with the Harbaugh family. Alexander is considered a finalist to be named Miami's new general manager. 

The Dolphins and former GM Chris Grier "mutually" agreed to part ways on Oct. 31 of last year. 

Interestingly, Louis-Jacques seems to think Ross and Harbaugh could come to an understanding that the one-time Super Bowl champion head coach isn't the right fit for what the Dolphins need right now. 

"The Dolphins are likely headed toward another rebuild," Louis-Jacques added, "so hiring an upstart coach once again makes sense. Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley and Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady are both options. Former Buccaneers offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard and Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile both worked for the Dolphins under McDaniel and have since rapidly boosted their profiles. Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula would also be an interesting candidate, considering his grandfather, Don Shula, coached the Dolphins from 1970 to 1995 and is the winningest coach in NFL history."

Then again, perhaps Ross made a move at head coach knowing he already had a handshake agreement worked out with Harbaugh.