The decision by Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel to retain special teams coordinator Danny Crossman for his first three seasons has puzzled many. Despite consistently poor performances by the special teams unit, Crossman managed to survive both the Brian Flores era and McDaniel’s tenure. However, that has now changed.
On Friday, the Dolphins announced they had parted ways with Crossman following another dismal season for the special teams. For years, Crossman has been a frequent target of frustration among Miami fans, and it’s clear that the pressure has finally led to a change. If McDaniel hadn’t been feeling the heat himself, Crossman might have stayed on for another year. After a disappointing 2024 season, the Dolphins seemed to be looking for someone to blame, and Crossman, with his special teams consistently ranked poorly, was an easy scapegoat.
In addition to Crossman, the Dolphins also decided to fire wide receivers coach Wes Welker on Friday. While it’s hard to pin Miami’s offensive struggles on Welker—given the issues with play calling and ongoing injuries to the receivers—McDaniel’s decision to let him go reflects a broader trend of accountability. However, it’s likely that Welker will land another job quickly, and it will be interesting to see who else follows him and Crossman out of Miami.
One of the key concerns now is whether McDaniel will be able to find suitable replacements for the coaches he has let go. With McDaniel entering a pivotal 2025 season under pressure, securing strong coaching candidates may be challenging, as coaches in similar positions often struggle to attract talent when their own futures are uncertain.
In hindsight, firing Crossman should have been a priority when McDaniel took over as head coach, given the underperformance of the special teams since his arrival.
