NFL coaches fired in 2026: Latest news on Mike McDaniel, John Harbaugh, others on Black Monday hot seat
by Dan Treacy
Fourteen NFL teams are looking ahead to the playoffs, but for everyone else, it’s on to the offseason.
Before free agency and the draft take center stage, the coaching carousel will be the first to heat up. Just don’t expect it to be quite as busy as it was in 2024 or 2025.
While the Tennessee Titans and New York Giants both made midseason coaching changes, the combination of back-to-back active cycles over the previous two years and late-season surges from a few teams with coaches on the hot seat could leave this January quieter than normal on the coaching front.
That doesn’t mean nothing will happen, though. Some coaches’ statuses remained up in the air in Week 18, and it wouldn’t be the NFL offseason without a surprise.
Here’s what you need to know about every coach who might be on the hot seat.
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NFL coaches fired in 2025-2026
Mike McDaniel, Dolphins
Date: Jan. 8
Despite ending the season on a strong note, the Dolphins decided to fire Mike McDaniel. The two sides reflected on the season together over the previous few days, but Miami will start fresh with a new general manager and head coach in 2026. McDaniel went 35-33 in four seasons as the Dolphins head coach.
Miami will likely be connected with John Harbaugh, and the Dolphins are one of just two teams looking for both a GM and HC this cycle.
John Harbaugh, Ravens
Date: Jan. 6
The most surprising coaching decision came on Tuesday, as it was announced that the Ravens and John Harbaugh were parting ways after 18 seasons. Baltimore failed to reach the postseason, losing to the Steelers in Week 18 to fall short of an AFC North title. Harbaugh finishes his Ravens career with a record of 180-113 and one Super Bowl win in two appearances.
It’s expected that Harbaugh will have a number of suitors interested in his services.
MORE: Ranking Ravens’ best candidates to replace John Harbaugh
Jonathan Gannon, Cardinals
Date: Jan. 5
The Arizona Cardinals fired head coach Jonathan Gannon on Black Monday, splitting with the former Eagles defensive coordinator after three seasons. While the Cardinals were a bit more competitive than expected under Gannon in 2023 and took a step forward with an 8-9 season in 2024, the wheels fell off in 2025. Arizona followed up a 2-0 start with a 1-14 stretch, and the Cardinals finished with the worst record in the NFC.
While there was some thought the Cardinals might let Gannon help select the team’s next quarterback, they will start fresh with GM Monti Ossenfort leading the effort.
Pete Carroll, Raiders
Date: Jan. 5
The Las Vegas Raiders announced the firing of head coach Pete Carroll after one season on Monday. Carroll, who won a Super Bowl during a 14-year run with the Seattle Seahawks and became the oldest head coach in NFL history with the Raiders, went just 3-14 in his only season in Las Vegas. Between a disjointed offense and a lack of competitiveness down the stretch, Carroll ended up on the hot seat despite his impressive track record. Now, the Raiders are set to hire their 13th full-time head coach in a span of 25 seasons.
Kevin Stefanski, Browns
Date: Jan. 5
Stefanski became the first victim of Black Monday. He finishes his tenure with Cleveland with a 45-56 total record and going 1-2 in two playoff appearances. Stefanski was named the NFL’s Head Coach of the Year in 2020 and again in 2023. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Stefanski will be a highly sought after head coach this cycle. GM Andrew Berry will remain with the franchise.
Raheem Morris, Falcons
Date: Jan. 4
Atlanta ended the 2025 regular season with a four-game win streak. The Falcons even finished in a three-way tie for first place in the NFC South, but the tiebreakers favored the Carolina Panthers who earned their first division title despite losing in Week 18 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Morris was at the helm for two seasons with the Falcons and went 8-9 in both seasons.
Brian Daboll, Giants
Date: Nov. 10
The Giants fired coach Brian Daboll on Nov. 10, after blowing yet another lead in a loss to the Chicago Bears a day earlier. New York gained momentum after benching Russell Wilson for Jaxson Dart in September, even knocking off the Eagles in a prime-time slot, but the Giants had a penchant for blowing leads this season, including a 19-point meltdown against the Denver Broncos. Daboll went 20-40-1 over less than four seasons in New York.
Brian Callahan, Titans
Date: Oct. 13
After a dismal 1-5 start with their offense among the worst in the NFL, the Titans fired coach Brian Callahan in the middle of his second season. Tennessee resisted making Callahan a one-and-done coach in 2024, bringing him back after a 3-14 season and giving him the chance to develop No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward, but the Titans showed little improvement over the first six games of the season before Mike McCoy replaced Callahan on an interim basis. Callahan went 4-19 over 23 games in Nashville.
NFL coaches on the hot seat
Mike Tomlin, Steelers
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has still never had a losing season in nearly two decades in Pittsburgh, but the 2025 is shaping up to look much like 2024. The Steelers faded after an early hot start and taken a couple of surprise losses, including their Week 17 defeat at the hands of the Browns when they had a chance to clinch the AFC North.
Pittsburgh lucked out from a missed Tyler Loop field goal in Week 18 to win the division and clinch the No. 4 seed in the AFC playoffs. The win doesn’t guarantee that Tomlin will be in town come 2026. The Steelers have made the playoffs six times since 2017. Five of the postseason appearances ended in their first game, with four of them being in the Wild Card round. Pittsburgh fans are used to winning Lombardies, and another first-round exit, especially at home, will not quiet the “Fire Tomlin” chants if they lose to the Houston Texans.
A report by Albert Breer suggested the Steelers already know who they would turn to if they part ways with Tomlin. Rams DC Chris Shula, grandson of Don Shula, would be the frontrunner for the job.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports there is a feeling that Tomlin will be back, at least to finish his contract. Conversations will still be had, but he’s leaning towards being safe.
Fox’s Jay Glazer believes that if Tomlin is not the coach for the Steelers next season, it would be his own doing. He does not think the Steelers would fire Tomlin.
MORE: Ranking Steelers’ best candidates to replace Mike Tomlin
Mike McDaniel, Dolphins
After a 2-7 start to the season, Mike McDaniel and the Miami Dolphins have turned the season around, going 5-2 over the seven games leading into Week 18. That might’ve help save McDaniel’s job, as McDaniel needed a strong finish to prove why he should remain in the role.
The Dolphins will be looking for a new general manager in the offseason after firing Chris Grier, so it’s possible that hire will help decide McDaniel’s fate. However, NFL Network reports that McDaniel will likely return for a fifth season.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter is also leaning towards McDaniel being safe for the time being.
