Dolphins fire Philbin


Oct 4, 2015; London, United Kingdom; Miami Dolphins coach Joe Philbin reacts on the sidelines against the New York Jets in Game 12 of the NFL International Series at Wembley Stadium. The Jets defeated the Dolphins 27-14. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2015; London, United Kingdom; Miami Dolphins coach Joe Philbin reacts on the sidelines against the New York Jets in Game 12 of the NFL International Series at Wembley Stadium. The Jets defeated the Dolphins 27-14. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Dolphins on Monday fired coach Joe Philbin and named tight ends coach Dan Campbell interim coach. Campbell will remain in the position for the rest of the season.

The 1-3 Dolphins are coming off a 27-14 loss to the New York Jets on Sunday in London. Despite rumors of his demise immediately after the game, Philbin remained confident that he still would be the coach when Miami played the Titans in Tennessee on Oct. 18. The Dolphins have a bye this week.

But team owner Stephen Ross felt differently and by making the change now he hopes the season can be salvaged.

In turning the reins over to Campbell, Ross has put his trust in a 39-year-old disciplinarian who played with four teams from 1999-2009.

“We have to change the culture. This is the most talented team we’ve had,” Campbell said Monday.

Campbell said one of his strengths is that he can relate to the players because he’s been there. He was a member of the New Orleans Saints Super Bowl winning team in 2010.

“I’m somebody that understands them. I’ve been at the top, I’ve been at the bottom. I understand what it’s like when things start going … not the way you want them to,” he said. “No player is the same, no coach is the same.”

Campbell said he is prepared to push each player – no matter their status — to get the best performance of each player come Sunday.

“You can’t just go through the motions through the week and turn it on (Sunday),” he said. “That goes for the best player we have on this team. Mike Pouncey, as great as he is, needs to be pushed. Every single day.

“That goes for Suh. That goes for Misi. They have to be worked. They have to be challenged. That’s the first thing I’m changing. I want them to be challenged. I want them to have to compete.”

After receiving the news he had been fired, Philbin thanked Ross, the players and coaches, and Dolphins fans.

“This is a tremendous organization from top to bottom that has a talented and dedicated staff,” Philbin said. “I want to especially thank the players, coaches and football staff who have worked so unselfishly and represented the team with dignity and class.

“I would be remiss if I didn’t thank the incredible fan base who has supported me and my family unconditionally since day one,” he added.

A disappointed Ross believed the team was not progressing fast enough, and that a change had to be made.

“This was a tough decision for me to make knowing how tirelessly Joe worked in his four years here to make this a winning team. He is a man of the highest character and integrity that I developed a close personal relationship with,” Ross said.

Club president Mike Tannenbaum said the timing was right if the Dolphins were serious about making a change and trying to compete this year.

“We weren’t happy the direction the team was going. We felt like this was the best opportunity to make a change and make an impact this season. The record was what it was. The timing was right, with the bye week, with 12 games left this season,” he said.

Philbin compiled a 24-28 in Miami since taking over in 2012. He is the first head coach in the NFL to lose his job this season.

Traveling to London has proved to be hazardous to an NFL coaching career for two straight seasons now.

Last year, the Oakland Raiders fired coach Dennis Allen after his team was embarrassed 38-14 in London by Philbin and the Dolphins.