Dolphins, with GM in place, reach out to John Harbaugh over coaching vacancy

The Miami Dolphins have immersed themselves into the John Harbaugh sweepstakes.

The Dolphins finally reached out to Harbaugh to let him know they are interested in him for their coaching vacancy, according to an ESPN report Saturday morning. Miami reportedly reached out upon finalizing an agreement to bring new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan on board.

The Dolphins hadn’t previously contacted Harbaugh as they were prioritizing the GM search, moving quickly through the search and interview process to land Sullivan, who came from the Green Bay Packers where he was vice president of player personnel.

Sullivan is now spearheading the coaching search with Dolphins owner Steve Ross, according to a league source. Hall of Fame Dallas Cowboys quarterback and current television analyst Troy Aikman is remaining with the team in an advisory role through the coaching search, after aiding in the GM search and selection.

While Miami had its GM vacancy dating back two months prior to season’s end, the team only opened its head coach job on Thursday.

Former coach Mike McDaniel appeared primed to return in the days following the Dolphins’ end of the 2025 season, but as the team was interviewing GM candidates and McDaniel said he was involved in the search to an extent, he was relieved of his duties Thursday.

Harbaugh shook free from his longstanding tenure with the Ravens on Tuesday.

He is known to have ties to Ross, who previously and infamously pursued his brother, Jim Harbaugh, while he was still employing Tony Sparano as Dolphins coach in 2011.

In 18 seasons leading Baltimore, John Harbaugh had a 180-113 regular-season record, while 13-11 in the playoffs with a Super Bowl title.

Harbaugh, viewed as the NFL’s top available coach this hiring cycle, has been widely reported as taking the past week off to collect himself after the season and his lengthy tenure with the Ravens. He is bound to possibly begin setting up interviews with teams in the coming week.

Harbaugh is the first known coaching candidate to surface for the Dolphins job.

This story will be updated.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2026/01/10/dolphins-with-gm-in-place-reach-out-to-john-harbaugh-over-coaching-vacancy/