Miami Dolphins: 5 replacements for Joe Philbin

3. Josh McDaniels

It’s well-known that Josh McDaniels’ time at the helm of the Denver Broncos wasn’t a success. After starting 6-0 in the 2009 season, the team finished 2-8 and missed the playoffs. 2010 didn’t go any better, as McDaniels was fired after going 3-9.

McDaniels was hired as a 33-year-old, so maybe he wasn’t ready for such a large responsibility after running the New England Patriots offense. Four years later, though, it may be time for a second chance. Since being fired as head coach, McDaniels had a one-year stint as the St. Louis Rams offensive coordinator. After being let go following the 2011 season, the John Carroll alumnus was re-hired by the Patriots to run their offense and hasn’t looked back.

McDaniels’ name started resurfacing in the head coaching rumor mill last offseason but he decided to stay on with New England. He became a hot name after the Patriots won Super Bowl XLIX in February of this year. The Patriots offense has continued to produce this year. One could say that’s due to Tom Brady, whose play at the QB position arguably got Charlie Weis, Bill O’Brien and McDaniels head coaching jobs in the past. Either that or wanting to pluck coaches from the Bill Belichick’s circle.

As was the case with Hue Jackson, McDaniels would come in as the “QB Guru” to help get Ryan Tannehill to the next level. The Dolphins have their fair share of playmakers too in Jarvis Landry, Lamar Miller, Jordan Cameron, Kenny Stills and 2015 1st round pick DeVante Parker. Most of these players haven’t exactly been effective this season.

The hope would be that McDaniels could come in and get the most of these players, something that Joe Philbin has been unable to do. This was most notable with former Dolphin Mike Wallace, who had two terrible years in South Beach before being traded to the Minnesota Vikings this offseason.

Could McDaniels get these players to play up to their talent level?

Next: No. 4