The Miami Dolphins announced on Friday that they have dismissed special teams coordinator Danny Crossman after five years in the role.
Additionally, wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator Wes Welker was also let go after the team’s passing offense dropped from first in the league in 2023 to 15th in 2024.
Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel expressed gratitude for Crossman’s contributions over the years and his support in McDaniel’s role. He also thanked Welker for his efforts but stated that, after evaluating the season and identifying areas for improvement, changes were necessary for the team’s future success.
Crossman, who was one of the longest-serving coaches on the staff and remained with the team when McDaniel was hired in 2022, saw the Dolphins’ special teams struggle under his leadership. In 2024, Miami ranked 21st in yards per punt return, 22nd in kick return yards, and last in opponent kick return yards. The Dolphins also committed 21 penalties on special teams this season, the fourth-most in the league. Additionally, Miami’s opponents had an average starting field position of the 30.7-yard line after kick returns, ranking fifth in the NFL.
Welker, who joined Miami with McDaniel in 2022, initially helped guide the Dolphins to one of the NFL’s most potent passing offenses. However, by 2024, the team saw a significant decline, ranking third-lowest in passing plays of 20 or more yards and producing only three plays of 50 yards or more. Despite having the NFL’s highest-paid wide receiver group, Miami didn’t produce a 1,000-yard receiver this season and has struggled to find a reliable third receiver behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle since 2022.
Crossman’s departure marks the third coordinator firing under McDaniel, following the dismissals of defensive coordinators Josh Boyer and Vic Fangio.
