Dave Hyde: Here’s what Dolphins need in a coach (and what they’ve lacked)

and hope for the best. That seems to be the sentiment among Miami Dolphins fans when it comes to the hiring of a new head coach. The team has had a string of unsuccessful stints with first-time head coaches, leading many to believe that experience is the key to success in the NFL.

The first-time head coach curse began with Joe Philbin, who was hired in 2012 to lead the Dolphins. Philbin had previously been the offensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers, but his lack of head coaching experience proved to be his downfall. The team struggled under his leadership, and he was ultimately fired in 2015 after a string of disappointing seasons.

Next up was Adam Gase, who was hired in 2016 after a successful stint as the offensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears. Gase was seen as a rising star in the coaching world, but his lack of head coaching experience caught up with him in Miami. Despite some early success, including a playoff appearance in his first season, Gase was unable to sustain that success and was fired after three seasons with the team.

Brian Flores was the next first-time head coach to take the reins in Miami, hired in 2019 after spending several years as the defensive coordinator for the New England Patriots. Flores had a strong defensive background and was seen as a promising young coach, but once again, the lack of head coaching experience proved to be a stumbling block. Flores was fired after just three seasons, despite showing improvement in each year with the team.

Most recently, the Dolphins hired Mike McDaniel as their new head coach, hoping that his innovative offensive mind would bring a new energy to the team. McDaniel had never been a head coach at any level, but his success as an offensive coordinator with the San Francisco 49ers made him an attractive candidate. However, early signs are not promising, as the team has struggled under his leadership.

With a string of failed first-time head coaches in recent years, it’s no wonder that Dolphins fans are hesitant to embrace another rookie head coach. The team’s lack of success in recent seasons has only fueled the belief that experience is the key to turning things around. Many fans are calling for the team to hire a veteran, recycled name as their next head coach, in the hopes that a more seasoned leader can bring stability and success to the franchise.

But is experience really the answer? While it’s true that the Dolphins have had a rough go of it with first-time head coaches in recent years, that doesn’t necessarily mean that hiring a veteran coach is the solution. There are plenty of examples of successful first-time head coaches in the NFL, including Sean McVay with the Los Angeles Rams and Matt LaFleur with the Green Bay Packers.

It’s also worth noting that the success of a head coach is not solely determined by their experience. Factors such as the talent on the roster, the quality of the coaching staff, and the front office’s support all play a role in a team’s success. While experience can certainly be an asset, it’s not the only factor to consider when hiring a new head coach.

Ultimately, the decision of who to hire as the next head coach of the Miami Dolphins will come down to the team’s front office and ownership. They will need to weigh the pros and cons of hiring a first-time head coach versus a veteran name, and make the decision that they believe is best for the future of the franchise.

In the meantime, Dolphins fans will continue to debate the merits of experience versus potential when it comes to hiring a new head coach. Some will argue that the team needs a seasoned leader to right the ship, while others will advocate for taking a chance on a promising up-and-comer. Only time will tell which approach will prove to be the right one, but one thing is for certain – Dolphins fans are hoping for a change in fortunes sooner rather than later.

Read full article

Source: Sun Sentinel