3 Dolphins Head Coach Candidates if Mike McDaniel is Fired

If the Dolphins fire Mike McDaniel, their replacement will have to achieve a lot with very little. 

Miami, which currently sits at 1-4 through five games, could move on from McDaniel sooner rather than later. 

His eventual replacement would take over a team with a high offensive ceiling and a crippling defensive record. 

Who would prove a natural replacement? Here’s a look at three head coach candidates in South Florida. 

NFL Hot Seat: 3 Potential Replacements for Mike McDaniel

Matt Burke: Houston Texans Defensive Coordinator

Burke currently coordinates a Houston defense that ranks amongst the best in the league. 

Last year, Burke guided the defense to third in defensive DVOA, per ftnfantasy.com. Amidst a 2-3 start in Houston this year, Burke’s defense retained that rating. 

Burke has some familiarity with Miami as a former member of the organization. Previously, he spent three years with the Dolphins as a linebackers coach and DC. 

A fresh look on defense could take pressure off an offense that thrived recently. In 2023, the Dolphins finished second in offensive DVOA. 

That makes Burke a potential quality addition for the Dolphins. 

Jesse Minter: Los Angeles Chargers Defensive Coordinator

Minter’s defensive style has worked well in Los Angeles. 

Albeit against some easy competition, the scheme forces teams to continuously produce quality plays. 

Minter, like Burke, led the Chargers to a top-10 defensive DVOA rating in 2024. Through five games in 2025, the Chargers have dipped to 18th, but sit 11th against the pass. 

Minter also spent time with John Harbaugh’s Ravens staff. From 2017-20, he worked as both a defensive assistant and defensive backs coach. 

That could help inform improvement by Miami’s defense. Either way, expect interest in Minter during the next hiring cycle. 

Lou Anarumo: Indianapolis Colts Defensive Coordinator

Miami has some familiarity with Anarumo, who previously worked on the defensive staff from 2012-17. 

They’re also familiar with his defensive prowess from Week 1. Earlier this year, he limited Miami’s offense to eight points as Colts DC. 

The knock against Anarumo is his age, but he clearly improved Indy’s defense. The 59-year-old now coordinates a defense third in points allowed through five games. 

If he maintains that ranking, it will mark the second time in the last four years that an Anarumo-led defense finished sixth or better in points allowed. 

That approach could benefit Miami, especially given the expected finishing position. With a third- or fourth-place schedule, the Dolphins would presumably face some easy offenses.