Mike McDaniel might be feeling the heat after the Dolphins’ woeful 1-4 start, but that doesn’t mean a coaching change is on the immediate horizon.
That’s according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, who provided a temperature check on McDaniel’s seat Tuesday during an appearance on “The Rich Eisen Show,” where he further clarified the embattled coach’s job status.
“It’s moderately hot, I would say,” Fowler, a senior national NFL reporter at the Worldwide Leader, began.
“I really think that ownership there likes Mike McDaniel a lot, and this is not something where they’re looking for an excuse to move on from him right now, and I don’t expect anything at this moment this week, and I feel like they want to give him a little bit of time, but there are a lot of factors that go into that kind of situation.”
Team improvement is one element Fowler called out, in addition to stadium attendance and if the franchise experiences the dreaded heel turn from fans.
“If they have home games that are pretty ugly and the fans start to turn on the team, that’s when [team owner] Stephen Ross can make a move,” Fowler said.
Although the Dolphins were on the road last week, they were at the center of an ugly scene in Charlotte, where the Panthers stormed back from a 17-point deficit to defeat Miami, 27-24.
McDaniel, who is in his fourth season at the helm, was filmed looking dejected at Bank of America Stadium — a moment Fowler took notice of.
“McDaniel was really deflated by that Carolina loss, him walking off the field, the demeanor after the game that they really needed that one, knowing the schedule is going to get only harder from here,” Fowler said.
The Dolphins, who underwent severe roster changes in the offseason and lost star receiver Tyreek Hill for the year, have tilts against the Chargers (3-2), Browns (1-4) and Falcons (2-2) on deck.
For now, though, it seems the Dolphins intend to weather this storm with McDaniel.
Underdog is where football fans become winners.
Use promo code NYPOST5 to get $50 in site credits when you play $5!
“Certainly, he’s on the short-list of changes that could be made for head coaches, but I don’t expect anything right now in the short-term,” Fowler said.
McDaniel, owner of a 29-27 regular-season record, recognizes this isn’t the start he, nor Ross, envisioned, particularly Sunday’s collapse.
“He was really frustrated, just like I was,” McDaniel said Monday, according to ESPN. “We talked about the challenge ahead to get ready for the Chargers, and that was really the extent of it.”
The Chargers and Dolphins kick off Sunday from Miami at 1 p.m.