Dolphins Were Preparing To Fire Joe Philbin As Of Last Night, TEs Coach Dan Campbell Top Interim Candidate

Update:

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Dolphins were preparing to fire head coach Joe Philbin as of last night.

Schefter admits that Dolphins owner Stephen Ross always could change his mind, but the team was making plans to announce the move as soon as today.

According to Schefter, if Ross elects to fire Philbin, Dolphins tight ends coach Dan Campbell would be the leading candidate to become the interim head coach and replace Philbin.

———-

Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports Dolphins owner Stephen Ross is “more inclined” to fire DC Kevin Coyle than HC Joe Philbin.

Salguero adds that Ross wants to remain optimistic that the season isn’t already lost, but he’s closer to believing some sort of change is needed right now.

Assuming Ross keeps Philbin around, Salguero mentions that Ross will likely need to push Philbin to part ways with Coyle.

While some have already suggested that special teams coach Darren Rizzi could get consideration to be their interim head coach, Jeff Darlington mentions that tight ends coach Dan Campbell is the “name to watch.”

Jay Glazer suggested that if the Dolphins wanted to hire someone outside of the organization, they should consider former Lions HC Jim Schwartz, former Falcons HC Mike Smith, possibly even former offensive coordinator Mike Sherman.

———–

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, citing a source with knowledge of the situation, reports there will be “a lot of thinking done over the next couple of days” regarding Joe Philbin’s future with the Dolphins.

• Albert Breer mentions that if the Dolphins were to move on from Philbin, special teams coach Darren Rizzi could get consideration to be their interim head coach.

This comes after the team put together another disappointing effort on Sunday in a 27-14 loss to the Jets.

Following the game, Philbin said he’s not worried about his job, but it sounds like Miami is at least considering a potential change.

Florio mentions that if the Dolphins were to move on without Philbin, his buyout wouldn’t be a major obstacle, given that he’s only under contract through the 2016 season.

There has been a lot of talk that even if Miami fires Philbin, there isn’t a clear replacement on their current staff, as defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle and offensive coordinator Bill Lazor have both come under criticism from both people outside the organization and the players.

We’ll have more regarding potential changes to the Dolphins’ coaching staff as the news is available.