Mike McDaniel has become the latest NFL postseason coaching casualty after being fired by the Miami Dolphins.
The decision to end McDaniel’s four-year tenure in Miami followed a 7-10 season in which the Dolphins failed to reach the playoffs for the second straight year.
A statement from Miami Dolphins owner Steven M. Rosa posted on X: “After careful evaluation and extensive discussions since the end of the season, I have come to the decision that our organization is in need of a comprehensive change.
“I notified Mike McDaniel this morning that he has been relieved of his duties as head coach. I love Mike and want to thank him for his hard work, dedication and energy that he has brought to our organization.
“Mike is an incredibly creative football mind whose passion for the game and his players was evident every day. I wish him and his family the best moving forward.”
Within hours of the final games of Week 18 being played on Sunday, the trigger was pulled on Raheem Morris’ spell with the Atlanta Falcons, sparking a flurry of coaching layoffs across the NFL.
By Monday, the Cleveland Browns had relieved Kevin Stefanski, Pete Carroll’s one-year reign in Las Vegas was ended by the Raiders, and Jonathan Gannon was fired by the Arizona Cardinals.
John Harbaugh became the most high-profile firing on Tuesday when the Baltimore Ravens parted ways with their Super Bowl-winning coach after 18 seasons.
With the Tennessee Titans and New York Giants removing their head coaches during the offseason, McDaniel’s firing means there are currently eight franchises looking to fill vacancies heading into the offseason.
Watch the Wild Card round of the NFL playoffs live on Sky Sports from Saturday, January 10 to Monday, January 12, starting with Los Angeles Rams vs Carolina Panthers at 9.30pm on Saturday night.