Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins are an NFL NFLThe NFL (National Football League) is a U.S. professional American football league of 32 clubs. Founded in 1920 as the APFA and renamed in 1922, it is organized into the AFC and NFC, with the season culminating in the Super Bowl.Open the full entry professional American football team in the AFC East. Awarded an AFL franchise in 1965, they began play in 1966 and now use Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Under Don Shula, they won Super Bowls VII and VIII, including a 17–0 regular season and postseason in 1972. Stephen M. Ross Stephen RossStephen Ross, whose full name is Stephen Michael Ross, is an American real estate developer and investor, the founder of Related Companies, chairman and CEO of Related Ross, and owner of the Miami Dolphins. His work spans affordable housing, large urban mixed-use developments and sports entertainment. He co-founded RSE Ventures and has supported university education and sustainable-city research.Open the full entry owns the team, and Jeff Hafley is head coach.

Contents12 sections

Key facts

1965–1966An AFL expansion franchise

The Dolphins received their franchise on August 16, 1965. Led by Joseph Robbie, they entered play in 1966 as the AFL’s ninth team. First coach George Wilson remained through 1969, while arrivals including Bob Griese, Larry Csonka and Larry Little formed part of the foundation for later success.⁠[1][2]

1970–1971Don Shula transforms the team

Don Shula became head coach in 1970 and led Miami to its first playoff berth with a 10–4 record. The Dolphins won the AFC in the 1971 season but lost Super Bowl VI to Dallas.⁠[2][1]

1972–1973A perfect season and consecutive titles

Miami won all 14 regular-season games in 1972 and three postseason games, completing a 17–0 campaign by beating Washington 14–7 in Super Bowl VII. The Dolphins won Super Bowl VIII after the 1973 season for consecutive championships.⁠[1]

1983–1984Dan Marino’s passing era

Dan Marino began playing for Miami in 1983. In 1984 he set the then-record of 48 touchdown passes and exceeded 5,000 passing yards; the Dolphins finished the regular season 14–2 and won the AFC title. Marino spent his entire 17-year playing career with Miami.⁠[1][3][2][4]

1987Moving into a new stadium

The club left the Orange Bowl and inaugurated Joe Robbie Stadium on August 16, 1987. The venue later became Hard Rock Stadium and remains the Dolphins’ home.⁠[1][5]

1993–1995Shula’s coaching milestones

Shula passed George Halas for the NFL career coaching wins record in 1993. A victory over the Rams in the final regular-season game of 1995 became the 347th and final win of his coaching career.⁠[1][3]

2008–2009A division title and Ross takes control

The Dolphins went 11–5 and won the AFC East in 2008, with Chad Pennington playing a key role. Stephen M. Ross bought a 50% stake in 2008, then acquired another 45% from Wayne Huizenga on January 20, 2009, becoming managing partner with a 95% stake at that time.⁠[3][6]

2016–2022Returns to the playoffs

Miami returned to the playoffs in 2016. Mike McDaniel became head coach in 2022 and led the team back to the postseason in his first year.⁠[1]

January 19, 2026Jeff Hafley becomes head coach

The Dolphins announced Jeff Hafley as their 12th head coach, working with general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan. Hafley had been Green Bay’s defensive coordinator in the 2024 and 2025 seasons.⁠[7]

Current home city

Hard Rock Stadium is at 347 Don Shula Drive in Miami Gardens, Florida. The team retains the Miami name, while its stadium is located in Miami Gardens.⁠[5]

Related organizations, websites and public accounts

Miami Dolphins: Official website: https://www.miamidolphins.com/ (opens in a new window) .⁠[8]

Miami Dolphins: X: https://twitter.com/MiamiDolphins (opens in a new window) .⁠[8]

Miami Dolphins: YouTube YouTubeYouTube is Google’s video-sharing and creator platform, founded in 2005 by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim and acquired by Google in 2006. Built around video uploading, viewing, and creator earnings, the platform has developed Shorts, YouTube Music, Premium, YouTube TV, and products for children, and is headquartered in San Bruno, California, United States.Open the full entry: https://www.youtube.com/miamidolphins (opens in a new window) .⁠[8]

Miami Dolphins: LinkedIn LinkedInLinkedIn is a social networking platform for professionals. It was founded in 2002 by Reid Hoffman and others, launched in 2003, and listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 2011; after Microsoft acquired it for approximately $26.2 billion in 2016, it became a wholly owned Microsoft subsidiary. Its revenue comes from membership subscriptions, advertising, and recruitment solutions.Open the full entry: https://www.linkedin.com/company/miami-dolphins-&-hard-rock-stadium (opens in a new window) .⁠[8]