Additionally, this was also the year that brought us the iconic “Wildcat” formation that had future Hall of Fame coach Bill Belichick completely lost on the sideline. The Dolphins won 11 games and earned a trip to the playoffs before being beat by the Baltimore Ravens in the wild-card round. Miami signed former New York Jets quarterback Chad Pennington and had the best turnaround in franchise history. The late Tony Sparano came to Miami in 2008 after the dumpster fire in 2007. What stings most about the Cameron era, is the fact that Huizenga chose him over Mike Tomlinson, who went to the Pittsburgh Steelers and won the Super Bowl in his second year. He coached 1 season in Miami, going 1-15, with a -170 points differential, the second-worst in team history. Cam Cameron | 2007 | 1 win & 15 lossesĬam Cameron is credited with the worst season in Dolphins history and for drafting Ted Ginn Jr. Saban’s tenure in Miami ended ugly when he famously announced that he wouldn’t be the Alabama coach, then two days later he informed his staff that he was leaving to become the head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide. In addition, Saban also takes the blame from Dolphins fans for choosing Daunte Culpepper over Drew Brees in the 2006 offseason, even though Brees wanted to be in Miami. Saban coached only two seasons in Miami, going 9-7 in his first season and 6-10 in his second season.

Huizenga chose LSU head coach and 2003 Sugar Bowl Champion Nick Saban to be the team’s fifth head coach.

This time though, the team went in a different direction looking to the college ranks. Nick Saban | 2005 | 9 wins & 7 lossesįollowing the resignation of Wannstedt, the Dolphins were in need of another head coach. Wannstedt made the playoffs in his first two seasons as head coach but failed to make it again despite decent regular season records. Wannstedt coached the Dolphins for 4.5 years before resigning after starting the season 1-9. Following the announcement, Johnson’s longtime assistant, Dave Wannstedt, secured his second head coaching opportunity. Johnson announced his retirement in January following a 62-7 massacre by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the playoffs. Dave Wannstedt | 2000 | 11 wins & 5 lossesĭave Wannstedt was the Dolphins defensive coordinator in Johnson’s final year in Miami. Although he made the playoffs in three of his four seasons in Miami, none of his teams ever won the division or made it past the divisional round in the playoffs. Unfortunately for Dolphins fans, Johnson wasn’t able to replicate his past successes. Previously, Johnson had a winning track record in two stops as a head coach and owner Wayne Huizenga figured that success would follow him to the Dolphins. In 1996 the Dolphins made former Dallas Cowboys and University of Miami head coach Jimmy Johnson the team’s third head coach. He finished his Dolphins tenure with a 257-133 and a 17-14 playoff record. Shula went on to coach Miami for 24 seasons, winning the only two Super Bowls in team history. In his first season with Miami, Shula’s team won a then-franchise record, ten games and made it to the playoffs. The Colts selected North Carolina running back Don McCauley while Miami was rewarded with the winningest coach in NFL history. However, the signing came with tampering charges against Miami which cost them their first-round pick in the 1971 draft. He went out and signed Don Shula away from the Baltimore Colts to become the team’s second head coach. Robbie decided it was time to go in a different direction with his team following the 1969 season. Wilson coached for a total of four seasons and finished with a 15-39-2 record in Miami. Oakland Raider Gene Mingo kicked deep to Dolphins running back and return man Joe Auer who took the opening kickoff in franchise history 95 yards for a touchdown.

Arguably the most memorable moment from the team’s inaugural season was the very first play of the year. His first season wasn’t much of a success as the team won just three games. George Wilson was the first head coach in Dolphins history, hired by founder Joe Robbie. George Wilson | 1966 | 3 wins & 11 losses Let’s take a look back at how those coaches each faired in their first season as head coach. The average win/loss record for these coaches is 8-8. The previous nine head coaches have gone a combined 70-70 in their first seasons with four playoff births. This will be the Dolphins 53rd season, and Flores will be the team’s 10th head coach. After spending the past 14 seasons with the New England Patriots, the Bill Belichick disciple has his first head coaching job of his career, on any level. The Miami Dolphins are hoping for a bright future with Brian Flores as the new head coach.

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