Next Coach

[Denver2]

I’m not happy with what happened to McDaniel but it did.

So who do you want to hire?


Who do you think they’ll hire?

I’d be fine with them hiring Chris Shula or Harbaugh, I feel like Harbaugh is the only reason the job became available in the first place.

I just hope we don’t end up with someone like Mike McCarthy.

[Sibster]

Harbaugh first, Shula second.   

Boy it would be great to have The Don's grandson as head coach.

[Pappy13]

I’d be fine with them hiring Chris Shula or Harbaugh, I feel like Harbaugh is the only reason the job became available in the first place.

I'm not sure about Chris Shula. I know Ross wants to find the next Don Shula, but what are the chances that Chris Shula is that person?

I'd love to have Harbaugh, but I don't think we are going to land him because I think he's going to be able to decide where he wants to go and I don't think Miami is that appealing due to it's salary cap issues and dealing with the whole Tua and Hill situations etc. 2026 is going to be a bumpy year and perhaps beyond and I doubt that Harbaugh is interested in that. The timing was strange that they added Alexander to the GM search when Harbaugh became available, but I'm not sure that's the reason that McDaniel was fired. I'm also becoming convinced that Ross and the Harbaugh family aren't really as close as it seems. If the Dolphins really wanted to secure Harbaugh, it would have made more sense to make Chad Alexander their next GM. I really think Aikman is driving this process moreso than Ross and that makes me feel better about the whole process.

I've heard that Matt Lafleur might be looking for a new head coaching job and I would love that, but again I think that's wishful thinking. I think Lafleur will be staying in Green Bay.

Personally I'd rather give a coach with an established record a second chance rather than some young up and coming offensive or defensive coordinator their first, but I just don't know who that might be. We could do worse than Mike McCarthy. I'm kinda surprised that we haven't heard the name Raheem Morris come up. Robert Saleh anyone? I just don't know.

[CF DolFan]

I have no idea who would be best but the only thing I will say is that if Chris Shula gets the job, he's certainly earned it. I know many think he's just a name but he's been proving himself for 16 years with the last 6 being in LA. There is a reason he is on everyone's list and it isn't because of his last name. He has earned it from the bottom up.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

I'm not sure about Chris Shula. I know Ross wants to find the next Don Shula, but what are the chances that Chris Shula is that person?

I don't know much about Chris, but I do know that he has never had to be the demonstratively better than anyone else to get the job.  As long as the other applicants were about the same with none head and shoulders better than him then he got the benefit of the doubt.   Now this doesn't mean he sucks and he may have benefited from some insight from his grandpa that most people can't get from grandpa.  And just because he has never *needed* to be demonstratively better doesn't mean he never *has* been demonstratively better. 

This isn't particular to Chris, and not all nepotism hires are incompetent, some are actually quite talented.  However, the most incompetent people I have ever dealt with are people who have benefited for nepotism and privilege.  (In contrast I have never dealt with a truly horrible DEI hire, not saying all DEI were phenomenal some were quite bad, but none were the true bottom of the barrel incompetent of nepotism and privilege.)   

[Dolfanalyst]

I'm not sure about Chris Shula. I know Ross wants to find the next Don Shula, but what are the chances that Chris Shula is that person?

About the same chances anyone else is -- very slim.

[Sibster]

I don't know much about Chris, but I do know that he has never had to be the demonstratively better than anyone else to get the job.  As long as the other applicants were about the same with none head and shoulders better than him then he got the benefit of the doubt.   Now this doesn't mean he sucks and he may have benefited from some insight from his grandpa that most people can't get from grandpa.  And just because he has never *needed* to be demonstratively better doesn't mean he never *has* been demonstratively better. 

This isn't particular to Chris, and not all nepotism hires are incompetent, some are actually quite talented.  However, the most incompetent people I have ever dealt with are people who have benefited for nepotism and privilege.  (In contrast I have never dealt with a truly horrible DEI hire, not saying all DEI were phenomenal some were quite bad, but none were the true bottom of the barrel incompetent of nepotism and privilege.)   

How would this be a nepotism hire?   Don Shula is dead and there is no one else from his family that works for the Dolphins.   What it would be is a follow-in-the-footsteps-of-a-legend hire.   And Chris obviously has the pedigree and performance background.

[Dave Gray]

I find Chris Shula to be fan-casting.  If his last name wasn't what it was, we wouldn't be interested in him.  That just seems like the same kind of things as putting Marino in the front office.  It's just looking backwards.

I really think we screwed up by cutting McDaniel loose and we seem rudderless.

[CF DolFan]

I don't know much about Chris, but I do know that he has never had to be the demonstratively better than anyone else to get the job.  As long as the other applicants were about the same with none head and shoulders better than him then he got the benefit of the doubt.   Now this doesn't mean he sucks and he may have benefited from some insight from his grandpa that most people can't get from grandpa.  And just because he has never *needed* to be demonstratively better doesn't mean he never *has* been demonstratively better. 

This isn't particular to Chris, and not all nepotism hires are incompetent, some are actually quite talented.  However, the most incompetent people I have ever dealt with are people who have benefited for nepotism and privilege.  (In contrast I have never dealt with a truly horrible DEI hire, not saying all DEI were phenomenal some were quite bad, but none were the true bottom of the barrel incompetent of nepotism and privilege.)   

I disagree he hasn't been better. He has succeed everywhere he's been. He is in his 9th year in LA and second as DC. He has coached on both sides of the ball, something most never do. He also has known Sean McVay since they played together at Miami of Ohio where they played all 4 years together. If anything, he has benefitted from connections with McVay but has done very well with the opportunities given ... just like McVay.  

[Phishfan]

I find Chris Shula to be fan-casting.  If his last name wasn't what it was, we wouldn't be interested in him.  That just seems like the same kind of things as putting Marino in the front office.  It's just looking backwards.

I really think we screwed up by cutting McDaniel loose and we seem rudderless.

I couldn't disagree more. Shula isn't just on our radar. Also it was just a couple days ago you referred to Hill as the best receiver in the league. That is backwards thinking and clamoring for something that is gone. Miami and any team interviewing coaches are automatically going to seem rudder less because there isn't a face in front of the fans yet.

[Pappy13]

Mike Tomlin anyone? I guess we should first find out if he's even interested in coaching next year.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

Mike Tomlin anyone? I guess we should first find out if he's even interested in coaching next year.

I don't think he is.  He wasn't fired, he stepped down.  He is still under contract for two more years.  He would need Steeler's permission to take another coaching job. 

I doubt he stepped down from the Steelers, because he wanted to coach the Dolphins.  I suspect after 19 years he wants to do something different probably something that allows him to spend more time with his family.

I think the biggest impact of his quitting, is the Steelers is the best coaching gig in the NFL, maybe the best coaching gig in all of professional sports.  Nobody is going to agree to be the coach of any of the other teams with openings for head coaches until they are certain they are out of the running for being the Steeler's head coach. 

[CF DolFan]

Ravens and Steelers are switching coaches 

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

Ravens and Steelers are switching coaches 

As if those two teams need more reason for a rivalry. 

[Sibster]

Mike Tomlin anyone? I guess we should first find out if he's even interested in coaching next year.

He wasn't fired, he resigned.   He's still got two more years remaining on his contract so if he goes anywhere else, the Steelers would have to approve and they would likely demand compensation in the form of draft picks.