Jeff Fisher has decided to join the St. Louis Rams as their head coach, The Miami Herald has confirmed through various club and NFL sources.
Fisher seemed headed to the Dolphins throughout the day Wednesday but intense negotiations with the Dolphins, particularly club owner Stephen Ross on the power structure of the organization could not be resolved so Fisher opted to go to St. Louis.
According to an NFL source close to Fisher, Ross was not willing to give Fisher power over the entire football operations, including veto power of decisions by general manager Jeff Ireland.
[Update 1: A club source tells me Fisher never requested full authority over the Dolphins. Source says club's understanding was that Fisher and Ireland would work together, agreeing mutually on personnel.]
Obviously, given the contradictory stories coming from the Dolphins and the source who is in the Fisher camp, the two sides were apparently not speaking the same language here. Either that or someone is fibbing.
That leaves the Dolphins, who hoped to lure Fisher to become their coach, scrambling to recover from yet another disappointment following a season filled with disappointments.
Fisher, through representatives, informed the Rams he had picked them to succeed the fired Steve Spagnulo. Fisher is expected to sign a contract by the weekend. Contract details remain sketchy.
Fisher's also informed the Dolphins he would be going to St. Louis and thanked the Dolphins for considering him. Fisher spoke with Ireland directly. The Dolphins interviewed with Fisher last week and were hoping to make him the 10th coach in the franchise's history.
So where does this leave the Dolphins?
The team must quickly rebound and continue a search for a new coach. The club has already interviewed Green Bay offensive coordinator Joe Philbin, Cincinnati defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer and Chicago special teams coordinator Dave Toub.
The Dolphins are expected to expand their coach search. Among the candidates are former Texas Tech coach Mike Sherman, current Carolina offensive coodinator Rob Chudzinski, New York Jets defensive coordinator Mike Pettine.
The club contends, through sources, that Fisher's decision is not a blow.
This, of course, is part wishful thinking, part spin meant to protect the club's reputation. The truth is the Dolphins have sunk from a franchise that once could lure practically any candidate -- Jimmy Johnson, Nick Saban, Bill Parcells -- it chased away from other suitors.
In this case, the Dolphins find themselves placing second in a two-team competition to a St. Louis franchise that could be on the move from its current city in the span to three seasons, a club that has been one of the NFL's losingest franchises for nearly a decade.
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Who gives a flying fk how it looks. They did continue to interview others. Not getting Fisher is no big deal. Let's see how he does in St. Louis before assuming he was the answer.
Posted by: DevilsAdvocate | January 13, 2012 at 05:03 PM
ArmandoSalguero Armando Salguero
I told Ross that some fans don't understand his affinity for his GM. He related a great respect of Ireland. Likes working [ON HIS BACK] with him.
Posted by: IrelandSucks | January 13, 2012 at 05:04 PM
Fisher took LESS money to coach the Rams!
Posted by: Dolphins are Garbage | January 13, 2012 at 05:05 PM
And I'm a Jeff Fisher fan, but Jeff you're going to be a floppy d*ck in St. Louis. It's a loser franchise man. Long gone are the days of the 'greatest show on turf'. I don't care if you've got Bradford and the number two pick and more cap room than anyone in the league, nobody wants to go there. It's a DEAD franchise. You've got more holes there than swiss cheese, your defence is a mess, no receivers to talk of and failed draft choice after failed draft choice. Oh yeah....the Niners are going to be good for years with that defence. Not sure what you were thinking. You obviously didn't watch any of their games this year....they SUCK!
Stephen Ross.....get on the phone to Fisher and tell him you were wrong. He can have final say on whatever he wants....just go get him. ST. Louis my a**!
Posted by: Craig M | January 13, 2012 at 05:06 PM
IT IS NOT THE END OF THE WORLD HERE FISHER WASN'T THE BEST COACH OUT THERE , BILLICK IS BETTER AND MARTY IS BETTER AND THEY BOTH WOULD PROBABLY TAKE THE DOLPHINS JOB EVEN WITH IRELAND BEING GM, AND TO BE HONEST I THINK IRELAND HAS DONE A PRETTY GOOD JOB OVERALL, HE HAS MADE SOME MISTAKES BUT WE DID HAVE A 1000 YARD RUSHER AND RECEIVER THIS YEAR AND A PRETTY GOOD D, IT WAS TONY , HE ALWAYS FOUND A WAY TO MESS UP A GAME, AND BY THE WAY IT WAS IRELAND WHO BROUGHT IN MOORE AS WELL WHO PLAYED PRETTY GOOD THIS YEAR GIVE THE JOB TO NOLAN OR BOWLES KEEP CONTINUITY WE WERE 6-3 OVER THE LAST 9 GAMES NOT BAD JUST SAYIN!!!
Posted by: scott from delaware | January 13, 2012 at 05:07 PM
Bill Barnwell "Fully expect the Dolphins to now hold a press conference where they try to pretend that they never actually got rid of Tony Sparano."
Posted by: IrelandSucks | January 13, 2012 at 05:07 PM
Who would Zimmer bring with him from Dallas to coach? Dave Campo?
Man this thing just gets worse by the minute....
Posted by: Craig M | January 13, 2012 at 05:07 PM
Only a POS spickkk know nothing foreigner would have been advocating for Fisher in the first place.
Posted by: Armando Stitz | January 13, 2012 at 05:07 PM
Some of you are taking this like we just lost Lombardi to the Jets. Too much drama over a very dull coach.
Posted by: DevilsAdvocate | January 13, 2012 at 05:08 PM
I HAVE NEVER SEEN A BILLIONANIRE AS DUMB AS ROSS. HE CHOSE TO KEEP A WEASEL OF A GM INSTEAD OF GETTING A COACH WHO HAS EXPERIENCE. TERRIBLE.
WILLING TO PAY FISH OVER 7 MILL BUT DIDN'T WANT TO GIVE HIM PERSONNEL SAY. STUPID!!!!!!
Posted by: vaustn | January 13, 2012 at 05:08 PM
If the problem was Ireland then Ross is an idiot. If you really wanted Fisher why was Ireland even a problem. We need an new owner is what we need. Someone with a brain.
Posted by: Byhalia Bill | January 13, 2012 at 05:09 PM
Can they get Sparano back?
Posted by: Asking | January 13, 2012 at 05:09 PM
Fisher actually reached his decision on Thursday, letting Rams owner Stan Kroenke know then.
SO RAMS KNEW YESTERDAY WHILE FINS LOOKED LIKE IDIOTS!!
Posted by: IrelandSucks | January 13, 2012 at 05:09 PM
Hey lets all just pout and cry and give up. Good idea?
Posted by: DevilsAdvocate | January 13, 2012 at 05:10 PM
Rams gain is Dolphins pain.
Posted by: Stu | January 13, 2012 at 05:11 PM
FOR CAVEMANNA - NO REAL QB! AND NO REAL COACH!! PASSED ON OBVIOUS DRAFT PICKS!! It's been 4 years of sub .500 FOOTBALL!! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?!!!
Posted by: vaustn | January 13, 2012 at 05:11 PM
Fishers been to the big show once. Playoffs maybe once after that. Fishers not the guy. This is new school days not old. Its all about bringing in a new fresh guy who can relate to his players.
Posted by: David | January 13, 2012 at 05:11 PM
Fisher would've taken a Pee Wee team over the lowly Fins....SAD
Posted by: I GIVE UP | January 13, 2012 at 05:13 PM
The defence is reasonably settled and a pass rusher short of good so just tweak that under Nolan next year.
Bringing in Zimmer,a defense coach,threatens the solidarity of it and risks ruining the one set section of the team.
Philbin and Flynn for me.
Posted by: newmiamidolfan | January 13, 2012 at 05:13 PM
Derrick,
The only thing Ireland is doing right now is getting on his knee pads....
Posted by: IrelandSucks | January 13, 2012 at 05:13 PM
Said it before say it again Fisher well respected retread.
Pete Carmichael for an interview please.
Posted by: nc mike | January 13, 2012 at 05:13 PM
Craig, actually, yes, it's PERFECTLY accurate to say we haven't drafted a 1st-rd QB in 30 years.
The issue here is you and others don't accept the notion that we need a franchise QB. You don't think it's worth the risk, and you think there are better ways to become competitive. So just say that. Some here agree with you. That's acceptable to me (I don't agree, but fine if that's what you think).
But you not liking my 30 year FACT is irrelevant to the larger argument I'm making, and obviously doesn't change any minds of people who think like me.
Posted by: DC Dolfan | January 13, 2012 at 05:13 PM
Ireland fired??
Posted by: I GIVE UP | January 13, 2012 at 05:14 PM
There are no solid facts on which to base a decision whether Fisher not coming here is or is not a good thing. But there are a few facts regarding the Team: 1- They have competitive NFL personnel. 2- They beat some good although not quite elite Teams during the 2nd half of the year, sometimes decisively. 3- They played well under 2 different Coaches.
Posted by: oscar canosa | January 13, 2012 at 05:15 PM
Ireland wasn't fired. He is sucking...
Posted by: IrelandSucks | January 13, 2012 at 05:15 PM
Wikipedia is showing Jeff Ireland as a Clown.
"Jeff Ireland (born in Abilene, Texas) is the Chief Screwing Things Up Officer (CSTUO) and Head of Signing Dallas Cowboys rejects for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He is also in charge of making sure that Club LIV is stocked with celebrities that don't actually care about football whatsoever. He has previously served as an executive for the Dallas Cowboys, a scout for the Kansas City Chiefs and an assistant coach for the North Texas Mean Green. He played college football for the Baylor Bears. As a child he was a ball boy for the Chicago Bears.
Posted by: SoCalphinsfan | January 13, 2012 at 05:16 PM
Ha ha.......
LOL.....
Posted by: Kris | January 13, 2012 at 05:17 PM
What happened to our once proud organization?
Blunder after Blunder until were now a laughing stock of the NFL.
Ross needs his head handed to him on a silver platter.
Dolphin fans need to stop buying tickets.
This is totally pathetic. I am ashamed to be a dolphin fan anymore.
Posted by: James | January 13, 2012 at 05:17 PM
* TONIGHT'S DINNER *
Mangia, MANGIA!!!
Boneless Pork Sirloin with Shake and Bake and a can of Green Giant Niblets.
Posted by: NY "G" | January 13, 2012 at 05:17 PM
Fisher would have to have been an idiot to work for Ross/Ireland.
Posted by: I GIVE UP | January 13, 2012 at 05:17 PM
Ross is clutching to Ireland so this franchise is destined for more cast off Cowboys and glaring holes in our team that won't be addressed because of Irelands lack of football knowledge.
Posted by: mike d | January 13, 2012 at 05:18 PM
oscar what are you talking about. I don't think we beat a team with a winning record this year.
Posted by: DevilsAdvocate | January 13, 2012 at 05:18 PM
I agree we need a head coach who is a major Offence talent.
I understand Daboll-ocks is offensive but I mean it in a different less supportive way.
Posted by: newmiamidolfan | January 13, 2012 at 05:19 PM
What's up losers?
Posted by: PriceMaster | January 13, 2012 at 05:19 PM
I said it before. No one with a choice joins the garbage Dolphins.
Posted by: Pat | January 13, 2012 at 05:19 PM
I'm going to organize a cry and pout session for those of you in mourning. Midnight tonight. We will sit in a circle, hold hands, chant, and drink warm milk.
Tomorrow everyone will feel much better.
Posted by: DevilsAdvocate | January 13, 2012 at 05:20 PM
Craig M......
Are u still waiting for people to come on here an say that "Fisher will never work for Ireland".....
LOL.....
Posted by: Kris | January 13, 2012 at 05:20 PM
Unreal he picked the Rams!
Posted by: Mad | January 13, 2012 at 05:21 PM
Hard to say how I feel. The best 'known' candidate was a retread. Welcome to the NFL Steven Ross. I will say one thing. Ross set things up pretty bad by offering someone (Fisher) responsibility without complete authority (picking a GM). That is a recipe for disaster in any job in any business. If your head is on the line, you damn well want authority over everything you are responsible for. That said, if that is how he is going to proceed, Ross had better make it clear that the GM position is first (or tied for first) in the organization and that the coach will have to answer to (or work on the same level)
as the GM. It is best if it is transparent and clear to everyone... THAT must be worked out ahead of time. It works great in Baltimore because Ozzie Newsome is a fantastic GM and a coach is willing to work knowing he is getting the talent he needs to win. Does the arrangement work? Pioli built the Pats and Belichick even as good as he is has struggled since Pioli left and the personnel have declined. Brady is keeping that team and Belichik's reputation afloat . Bobby Beathard stocked the great Dolphin teams, and even Shula was pretty average after Beathard left in 1978 (to build the 'Skins dynasty) then later set up the Chargers lone SB appearance. The Dolphins lucked into Marino in 83 but without complimentary talent, even Shula couldn't do it over Marino's next decade and a half - you need a GM and even the great coaches have not necessarily been GMs or even judges of other GMs that they bring in. Ireland had as many misses as hits the first couple of years. I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt because Parcells might well have had a lot of swing in those horrible Gibril Wilson, Ernest Willford, Jake Grove mega contracts and draft busts like White, Henne, Turner. In fact I recall Parcells admitting his mistake on the Pat White fiasco. The 2010 draft (Parcells was on board) was not that impressive- Odrick seems like a a keeper, Misi is an upgrade over Crowder. Jerry, Carroll and Jones don't look like outright busts and might turn out as good players late. 2011 (Ireland's alone) was a very solid draft and was clearly the best draft class in their division - Pouncy looks great, Thomas looks good, Gates could go either way but his updide looks great, Clay has them set at fullback and Wilson was as good as you can hope for in the 7th round. Ireland is definitely trending upward and looks worthy of keeping. I realize 'trending from where' is the logical respnse given the horrble first couple of years, but how much can you say was Ireland vs Parcells? The team also had do be gutted and undergo tremendous turnover to recover from the state it was in after '07 so give the front office credit for at least cutting those $ mistakes in an uncapped year. Dansby was a a GREAT signing -I am glad he is a Dolphin and he is still young in LB years- he was the heart of that D when they played tough as nails in the stretch. Maybe its just me, but when they turned the corner from 0-7, he was the only one I heard who said sucking for Luck was basically like being a p**** (no not patsy). Burnett also turned the corner and was putting some serious hits on people the 2nd half. Bush ? Great pickup. Another guy who had the guts to say - "We stink" to the media and light a fire under his teamates - and then go out and play balls to the wall down the stretch (yes running 'between the tackles' like the experts said he couldn't). Listen that guy is a just a very good football player and a winner - he and Dansby are flat out ballers and the kind of players opponents hate. Bush for a reserve safety Amaya was a deal. I can't pin of the bad decisions solely on Ireland when Parcells was here and I belive Sparano was Parcells guy. Looking at Ireland post-Parcells, I have trouble finding any fault. I would, in fact, say that he has done an excellent job. I realize some people are going to get excited and whine that he is the reason that the team did not land Jeff Fisher. This team may actually be the benificiary of Fisher's decision to take his .542 winning % elsewhere, if ... they can find a coach. It's been a while since the team has had a one of those that wins. I realize Parells was an easy target,but what realistic person in their right mind could think that Parcells was going to stay until he died? Please. He didn't come here for the long term, because he knew he wasn't the football man he was before, but rather to train a GM and I'd venture to say that in parting he left Ross with some advice to give the new kid a few years to show what he can do on his own. Relax - the GM has done an outstanding in the short time that he has been on his own two feet and solely running things since March 24, 2011 when Parcells left left. Before you get in a issing contest with me - check the personnel moves since Parcells left. Pretty much all solid choices. Keeping Sparano last year was Ross's fiasco - that was pretty evident when 'he' (Ross) was courting oher candidates with Sparano still in place. All reports were that Ross was on the plance to SF last year to interview Harbaugh with Ireland tagging along. Ross appears to be in this strange middle area of no-man's land like Wayne Huizenga where he doen't trust his GM and is bringing in 3rd parties outside the team like Wayne did in getting Ron Wolf's advice. These people have no history with the team and no allegience to the team. There is no continuity and the team hasn't won in forever so we are in a cycle of losing. That has consequences. The place not only becomes a departing point rather than a destination - it also means that you have no one to promote within, or even an ear like Marino to provide advice - a skittish flaky owner can do that to people. If your GM hs the say in choosing a coach then thats fine, but it looks like Ross (and/or Ross/Peterson) are doing the choosing and that is DISASTER. My advice to Ross and the fans is .. Relax - the GM has done an outstanding in the short time that he has been on his own two feet and solely running things since March 24, 2011 when Parcells left left. Now the question is who do you want picking the next coach? Ross, Peterson or Ireland? Think about it.
Posted by: That guy | January 13, 2012 at 05:21 PM
FIRE IRELAND!!!!! Are you kidding me???
ROSS stood up at the alter again, always a bridesmaid never a bride! WOW... sell the team Ross. To bad Sparano is not available, went to Jets. What a joke the Dolphins have become...
Posted by: David 1972, still undefeated | January 13, 2012 at 05:21 PM
Dolphins waiting to talk to Mike McCoy??
Posted by: IrelandSucks | January 13, 2012 at 05:22 PM
This is priceless.....
ANDREA.......are you out there.......
Posted by: Kris | January 13, 2012 at 05:22 PM
Just figured I would stop by and urinate on everybody's faces for a little while.
Here is a repost of something I posted here numerous times in December:
Neither Gruden nor Cohwer nor Fisher are coming to Miami...Neither are Luck, Barkley or RG3...There is no stockpile of draft picks cleverly accumulated...The calvary is not on the way.
Posted by: PriceMaster | January 13, 2012 at 05:22 PM
Guys, if you want this team to improve we have to AT LEAST get Ireland OUT. A boycott is the only way to do that.
Posted by: BOYCOTT | January 13, 2012 at 05:23 PM
Well, take it or leave it, Devils, those are the facts we have to work with. You find some other ones, you lets all know, yahear.
Posted by: oscar canosa | January 13, 2012 at 05:24 PM
Everyone bashing Fisher needs to wake the hell up.
Just like you were bashing Harbaugh last year and now what fools?????
49ers if you haven't noticed are in the second round of the playoffs after having a great season record of 13-3. When was the last time Miami went 13-3???????????
That's OK though because in Ross and IRELAND we trust....muwhahahahahahahahhaha
Posted by: john | January 13, 2012 at 05:24 PM
I'm not losing sleep over this.
Bring on Philpin
Posted by: jeff | January 13, 2012 at 05:24 PM
The Dolphins are officially irrelevant.
Posted by: I GIVE UP | January 13, 2012 at 05:25 PM
That Guy....
One word.....
PARAGRAPHS......
Do with it what u will....
Posted by: Kris | January 13, 2012 at 05:25 PM
It is getting harder and harder to say I am a fan of the Miami Dolphins!! The current leadership of this organazation is at its lowest point in 40 years!!! It's not that they missed on Jeff Fisher I don't know if this guy could fix this team, maybe yes maybe no. But these clowns have no direction, they are reacting to everything and don't create their own opportunities. The owner is a fish out water and we no it! I hope they have a rectal cranial inversion soon and do SOMETHING RIGHT and higher a football guy with some VISION of how to succede. I don't know all the nuances of football but I can see the ones that do a BIll Belecheat would be great to have!
Signed Going nowhere fast in Miami!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Robert Rudy | January 13, 2012 at 05:26 PM
Losers bwaaaahahagaha
Posted by: TorturedDolphan | January 13, 2012 at 05:27 PM
I wonder if Ross and Ireland sodomize each other. It's amazing how a long history institution like the Dolphins can be destroyed by a stupid owner and by a morron of GM.
Mistake after mistake. Ross, Ireland, first class morrons, keep Bowles in any case, and spare us, we fans, of this useless indecision.
You wanted a higher rated coach, you had it and let him go. You want HC that leak your behinds every time you want, isn't it ? A puppet, is that right ? Gizz !!!
Posted by: marchcool | January 13, 2012 at 05:27 PM
Mike McCoy
Posted by: IrelandSucks | January 13, 2012 at 05:28 PM
Armando, Mike Sherman coached at Texas A&M, not Texas Tech.
Posted by: SK | January 13, 2012 at 05:28 PM
This is too funny!
Posted by: Primetime Jets | January 13, 2012 at 05:29 PM
That Guy
Not one person will even read past the first sentence of that novel. Way too long. And yes, paragraphs, you know, to separate your thoughts?
Posted by: DevilsAdvocate | January 13, 2012 at 05:29 PM
Excuse me, Mr. Ross, was yo Momma a Ho?
Was yo Daddy Brain Dead?
This is it for me. I will always remain A Dolphin Fan till the day I die.
However this Miami Team is now known as the Miami Acorns. I just can't do it anymore.
I thought sucking for Luck was a bad idea. Now I hope they suck for a new owner, GM and Head Coach.
If it were up to me, I'd hire ALoco as the new Head Coach for the next three years. By then Ross will dead or we will have bottomed out so bad Ireland has to be Fired.
Dusty, I apologize for everytime I ragged on you for your negativity. You think I can get a ride?
My new War Cry!
Fire Ireland in 2015!!!!
RIP MIAMI!!!!
I'm going to get absolutely POLLUTED! FVCK THIS SORRY A SS EXCUSE OF A FRANCHISE!!!!
Posted by: odinseye | January 13, 2012 at 05:31 PM
Hey, how bout getting Pee Wee Herman in for an interview?
Posted by: FINS STINK | January 13, 2012 at 05:31 PM
The best part is no matter how right or wrong all your opinions are, they don't matter one bit. Nobody here is on Ross's payroll and don't figure into a single decision. The chips will fall where they will...
Posted by: ciscomc | January 13, 2012 at 05:31 PM
You guys just dodged the biggest builder in Dolphin history.....
And your throwing yourself's a pity party......
You should be dancing in the streets naked.....this is among the greatest days in Dolphins off-season history.....
Posted by: Kris | January 13, 2012 at 05:32 PM