The Miami Dolphins are deep into another head coaching search, but the spotlight right now might actually be shining brighter on their former head coaches than on the job they’re trying to fill.
Mike McDaniel, who was let go after back-to-back playoff appearances, is already drawing serious interest around the league. He’s reportedly set to interview with at least four teams, and his name is generating buzz in multiple front offices.
And he’s not the only ex-Dolphins coach turning heads. Brian Flores-who preceded McDaniel in Miami-is also gaining traction, particularly in Pittsburgh, where the Steelers are looking to fill a rare vacancy following Mike Tomlin’s surprise decision to step down.
Flores is no stranger to the Steelers. He spent time on Tomlin’s staff and left a strong impression.
His defensive pedigree and no-nonsense approach align with the franchise’s identity-tough, physical, and defense-first. If he gets a formal interview, there’s a real chance he won’t leave the building without a contract in hand.
At least among the fanbase, there’s a growing sentiment that Flores feels like a natural fit in Pittsburgh.
His departure from Miami was polarizing. Some Dolphins fans still believe he was let go prematurely, despite a strong finish to his final season.
But the way things ended-reportedly strained relationships and internal friction-left a complicated legacy. Still, Flores has kept his name in the mix, and this offseason may finally bring him the second chance he’s been waiting for.
Then there’s the added layer of irony: McDaniel is being linked to the Browns job. If that move happens, and Flores lands in Pittsburgh, we could be looking at a fascinating AFC North chess match between two former Dolphins head coaches.
Imagine Flores dialing up blitz packages to try and rattle McDaniel’s offense-twice a year. That’s the kind of storyline that writes itself.
And here’s where it gets even more intriguing: Zac Taylor, currently the Bengals’ head coach, also has Dolphins ties, having previously served as their offensive coordinator. If McDaniel and Flores both land in the AFC North, that would make three of the four head coaches in the division former Miami staffers. Suddenly, the division becomes not just competitive, but deeply interconnected through their shared Dolphins past.
Back in South Florida, the Dolphins find themselves once again chasing the right hire. New general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan has a lot on his plate-navigating a tricky cap situation, figuring out the long-term plan with Tua Tagovailoa, and now trying to lure a top-tier coach to a franchise that’s seen more than its fair share of turnover. It’s not an easy sell, especially with so many other teams in the market.
The Dolphins are hardly alone in their search. The Cardinals, Falcons, Raiders, Giants, Ravens, Browns, Titans, and Steelers are all in the market for new head coaches. That’s a crowded field, and Miami will need to move quickly and decisively to land the right fit.
No hires have been made yet, but the coaching carousel is spinning fast. And as it turns, it’s the Dolphins' past that’s suddenly shaping the league’s future.