Dolphins fans show support for head coach McDaniel!

Last Sunday evening, I posted that I had seen the question of whether Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel was on the “hot seat” heading into the 2024 NFL season being asked on various NFL shows and YouTube channels/Podcasts. The opinion was mixed, with some saying he was and some saying no way. The reasons they gave for his being on the hot seat and possibly losing his gig in South Florida basically fell into two categories: not making the playoffs and not winning a playoff game, in which case I guess the former would also apply.

I also posted a poll asking: “Do you think that there’s a chance that Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel is on the hot seat in 2024?”

• No, I think Ross will give him at least one more season no matter the outcome- led the way with 354 votes, or 77% of all votes.
• Maybe, if he does not win a playoff game or misses the playoffs- came in second with 82 votes, or 18% of all votes.
• Absolutely, if he doesn’t win a playoff game he’s gone- came in third with 26 votes, or 6% of all votes.

I then asked the question: Do you think Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel is on the hot seat this season if he does not take the team further in the playoffs or, worse, regresses in some way? What would it take to keep Ross from considering moving on from McDaniel after three seasons?

Below are some of your thoughts and answers-

MIAMI235 thinks no one knows but still hopes McDaniel is on the hot seat…I think!?!

Who can really know the answer to this question?

Through the years so many decisions have been made , that have you scratching your head. As with all teams.

I hope so, is my answer.

MiMiami says for sure!

Oh yeah. His seat is warm, for sure.

Miami blew a three game lead to win the division last year, only to fall to Buffalo at home on national television. Miami lost to KC on the road in the playoffs; I don’t feel bad losing to the SB champs. Losing to BUF is inexcusable.

The criticism and chatter is going to be LOUD when Miami loses in week 2 of this new year.

Call_for_the_Priest’77 says the key for McDaniel to stay off the hot seat in 2025 is to put together a solid 2024 campaign.

This will be an interesting year for McD. He has come on strong in both years thus far but faltered down the stretch. This of course mirrors the play of his starting QB, which is hardly a big surprise.

Ultimately it comes down to Tua taking that next level but (and here I go again…) it comes down to team health (I’m hoping the more times I bring this up, the better chance my words will somehow through subliminal quantum mechanics maybe, reach the eyes of Grier and filter down to the team). The OL regs MUST be there down the stretch, playing at a dominant or at least dictating level. Next (and somewhat of a logical segue into my next point), Tua must hold onto the ball longer when necessary. This should be done when initial reads aren’t there but also by design, to mess up the defense even more. They will be even more on their heels if they don’t know the pass is coming quick or (relatively) later. More importantly it will give Tua the confidence to stand up and deliver against the tougher teams down the stretch. That and team health will take Tua and the team to the next level.

So McD has to get this out of Tua, preferably during this season. This is a win now team because we have the talent to do that! Apart from designing or modifying plays to allow Tua to hold onto the ball longer (either by design or necessity), McD’s job should primarily be as a facilitator, keeping everybody in the loop and letting them do their jobs. The game plans are pretty well set. Our core group knows their jobs. They will get the new guys up to speed.

Unless unmitigated disaster capsizes the team this year, McD should be safe for 2024 all else considered. Should we fail to reach and put together one helluva playoff game, then McD could face an exponentially hotter and hotter seat throughout 2025. McD has brought a winning mentality to the team, for which he deserves plenty of praise. But the game itself needs competition to thrive as much as possible from all teams. If McD is still shuffling on the threshold of relevance after 2024 instead of confidently taking us through, the meter will start and McD will have no other choice but to field a relevant team in order to keep his job. He is without question, our most successful coach since Dave Wannstedt back at the beginning of this millennial mediocrity but neither the team nor the game itself, can afford stagnation.

Bubbatoo thinks it’s absurd. I bet Tennessee Titan fans felt the same way…

This is absurd

D.A is correct, but they also have a job to do, so here are random questions that are asked in the offseason.

Here we go, so called sports experts running out of topics to stir the pot. Not enough bash Tua ideas left out there I guess. Although MM needs to implement the TEs more. Notice most Super Bowl teams have great TE play in their system. Excited to see Mostert, Achane and Wright this year.

Francesco ITA says he has to make the playoffs.

IF he doesnt reach playoffs yes he will be on the hotseat but probably only next season.

Anyway is not an easy season, a lot of expectations, bar already high, a lot of egos in the locker room , difficult cap situation …

ramsestg says no, but McDaniel does need to get better at in-game coaching.

I don’t believe McDaniel is on the hot seat per se. But he is still learning and hopefully he’ll improve. In my opinion, while Tua seems to get all the blame for our poor performance against winning teams, what I see is McDaniel largely getting outcoached by the better more experienced coaches. McDaniel seems to get too conservative/predictable in such games. That has to change.

glen55 says hell no and I 100% agree with him for the reasons he gave!

21Dave says he’s safe in 2024, but 2025 will be a different story.

No , Ross knows we don’t have a legit defense this year, kinda make shift , we are kinda putting fingers in holes instead of fixing issues. I think if we don’t have a playoff winning season next year he is gone.

budglo doesn’t even bother listening.

No. This article reminds me why I don’t waste too much time listening to the talking heads . MM will be the coach for the unforeseeable future unless things hit rock bottom with lightning speed.

Luvs2drnk2.0 says he’s safe unless this team crashes and burns this coming season.

It would take an EPIC collapse for the notion to even be considered. I’m talking a less than 5 win season, with no significant injuries contributing to it. Which is pretty much very unlikely to happen with all the talent on this team. Now if we go one and done in the playoffs again this year…then, McD would definitely be on the hot seat next year.

phinette thinks it may come down to how we play at the end of the season and how Ross interprets that.

If the Dolphins continue to struggle in the months of December-January, it will be interesting to see whom Ross pins the blame on. Tua or MM? We all know that Tua struggles when the elements are in play. His arm strength is average at best. We need to have a more robust running game so the pressure is taken off of Tua.

go_canes not only has awesome taste in college football teams but also thinks McDaniel is safe.

I don’t think he is even warm. Would it even come up if there were some other news going on?

Not sure if I’d say it’s “a massive improvement to even reach the playoffs”. Almost half the teams make the playoffs. And I’ve heard that some of the owners don’t even care too much as long as their teams are decent.

Miami7 sees too much positive for MM to be in fear for his job.

McDaniel has cultivated a great culture in Miami. He has led the team to the post season two consecutive years for the 1st time in 20+ years. Is considered one of the bright, rising coaches in the game. Barring an incredible collapse to sub .500 or something really ‘unusual’ about the normal December collapse and el-foldo if we do back into the playoffs again, I can’t see any reason to move on from the positivity McDaniel has brought to the team [and I think he breaks that playoff win streak this year anyway!].

SlayerNation1 says he’s safe and even super safe with Harbaugh off the market.

Mike is on a Cold Seat. He needs a 5 year runway and has show enough to get that, especially now that Jim Harbaugh is off the market, Ross can’t be tempted.

Mike’s language coming out of OTAs is that of an observant third year HC and one whose eyes and ears are wide open.

Best HC since Shula.

As always, We can ask the same inane question as with Tua:

“replace him with whom?”

NCSurferMike sees a bright future for the Dolphins with McDaniel in charge.

MM is the future. I just hope it continues with the Fins.

phinsatx says he’s still riding that wave, for now!

Right now, I’d say McDaniel is still riding the rising coach wave. If things go south this year, then it could definitely get ugly. That said, the coach is like the rest of the team (Tua, the defense, etc.). Take the next step forward and shut everybody up or face growing criticism.

It seems as if, based on the poll and your answers, the vast majority of the Dolphins fan base is 100% behind head coach Mike McDaniel. It’s quite refreshing, given what we have dealt with otherwise over the previous two decades. Thank you to everyone who took the time to chime in with their thoughts on the question of the day. We will return tomorrow with another question of the day post, providing that I can think of one.