The Miami Dolphins are shaking up their coaching staff following a disappointing 2024 season that saw the team finish with a sub-.500 record. In a statement released Friday, the Dolphins announced they have parted ways with special teams coordinator Danny Crossman and wide receivers coach/passing game coordinator Wes Welker.
Crossman had been one of the longest-tenured coaches in Miami, serving as the special teams coordinator for the past five seasons. However, the Dolphins’ special teams unit struggled in key areas over the past year, ranking in the bottom third of the league in punt return average, kick return average, and kick return coverage. Miami also committed the fourth-most special teams penalties in 2024.
I am grateful for Danny’s contributions and dedication to the Dolphins over the course of many seasons, as well as the numerous ways he helped me as a head coach.
– Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel
Passing Game Regresses Under Welker
The decision to move on from Welker comes as more of a surprise, given the success of Miami’s passing attack in his first two seasons with the team. From 2022-2023, the Dolphins ranked second in the NFL in passing yards and generated the most pass plays of 50+ yards.
But the aerial assault took a major step back in 2024, dropping to 15th in passing yards while producing the third-fewest passing plays of 20+ yards. Star receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, the highest-paid duo in the league, both failed to reach 1,000 yards on the season. Miami also continued to get minimal production from their other receivers.
- 2022-2023 Dolphins Passing Offense: 2nd in yards, 1st in 50+ yard plays
- 2024 Dolphins Passing Offense: 15th in yards, 29th in 20+ yard plays
Crossman and Welker mark the third and fourth coordinators to be dismissed by McDaniel in his tenure. The third-year head coach previously fired defensive coordinators Josh Boyer and Vic Fangio after the 2022 and 2023 seasons respectively.
I want to thank Wes for his investment here… As I have evaluated the season and areas where we must improve, I believe that change is needed and am motivated to do what is best for the team as we move forward.
– Mike McDaniel on firing Welker
Pressure Mounting on McDaniel
After a promising start in Miami, making the playoffs in his first season, McDaniel now finds himself squarely on the hot seat entering his fourth year. The Dolphins are just 18-21 over the past two seasons amid constant coaching turnover and regression on both sides of the ball.
With another offseason of upheaval, the pressure will be on McDaniel to get the Dolphins headed back in the right direction in 2025. Owner Stephen Ross has shown patience to this point, but his tolerance may be wearing thin if Miami extends its playoff drought to three years.
For now, the focus turns to filling out the coaching staff and upgrading the roster. The Dolphins will aim to find replacements for Crossman and Welker who can get more out of the team’s struggling units. Potential targets remain unclear, but the staff already features several experienced position coaches who could be in line for expanded roles.
On the player front, Hill’s agent recently affirmed the All-Pro’s commitment to Miami amid trade rumors. But the futures of other offensive starters like Tua Tagovailoa and Raheem Mostert remain murky. The Dolphins have the talent to engineer a quick turnaround, but can McDaniel push the right buttons to make it happen? The 2025 season may determine his fate in Miami.
