The late Tony Sparano coached the Miami Dolphins to their last AFC East title in 2008 during his first season as the franchise’s head coach. Sparano then followed up that impressive start with three straight losing seasons.
Adam Gase led an injury-decimated Dolphins team to a 10-6 record and the franchise’s last playoff berth in 2016, despite finishing the year with backup quarterback Matt Moore as his team’s starter. Gase then produced two straight losing seasons after his strong debut.
Brian Flores won five games in his first season as head coach with a rebuilding Dolphins roster, and some local and national media members felt he should have been a Coach of the Year candidate.