Miami Dolphins At 50: 2010 – 2014

By Brian Miller | Jun 26, 2015

1 of 2

We have reached the final four years in our look back at the highlights of the last 49 years. The Miami Dolphins are looking like a team who can start to make their own history. The last 2000’s were not kind to the Dolphins and while strides have been taken to return the franchise to greatness, those efforts have fallen flat thus far.

The Dolphins have invested in a franchise quarterback but only time will tell if Ryan Tannehill can live up to the teams and perhaps his own lofty expectations. Over the last four years, the Miami Dolphins have undergone more change and have spent more money on players in free agency than in any other seasons thus far. How it pays off and how it hasn’t paid off is one of the vital reasons this team will either become great again, or will continue to squander opportunities.

More from Dolphins All-Time Lists

2010

January 20th

Mike Nolan becomes the teams new defensive coordinator replacing Paul Pasqualoni. The Dolphins enter into an agreement with Sun-Life Financial and rename the stadium Sun-Life Stadium.

January 31st

The Miami Dolphins unveil the bronze statue “A Perfect Moment In Time”. The statue, which sits in the front of the stadium on game days, captures Don Shula hoisted in the air after the 1972 perfect season. The Dolphins also announce that the stadium now sits on Don Shula Drive and officially the stadium and it’s offices are located on 347 Don Shula Drive.

On this same date the Pro-Bowl is played one week prior to the Super Bowl in Miami instead of Hawaii.

May 2oth

Zach Thomas announces that he is retiring from football. The announcement is made at the teams headquarters after he signed a free agent one day contract.

November 14th

The Dolphins rename the press box in honor of long time Miami Herald columnist Edwin Pope

November 20-21st

The first annual Miami Dolphins Cycling Challenge takes place with 400 riding in the event. The event raises over $500,000 for cancer research. The event is so well received that it still continues today and annually brings in millions of dollars from 1,000 of riders who ride in the race.

December 5th

Dan Carpenter breaks Pete Stoyanovich’s team record for longest field goal when he connects from 60 yards out in a loss to the Browns.

Tony Sparano

2011

January 2nd

Ricky Williams sets the team rushing attempts record with 1,509

January 8th

After Dolphins owner and GM Jeff Ireland fly to California to woo Jim Harbaugh from Stanford, Tony Sparano is given a contract extension. The damage however had been done and Sparano refused throughout the season to talk with either Ireland or Ross unless he had to.

January 19th

Brian Daboll is announced as the teams new offensive coordinator

April 26th

Jim “Mad Dog” Mandich passes away due to bile-duct cancer

May 4th

Jim Mandich, who had recently passed away due to cancer, is immortalized in Sun-Life Stadium. A public memorial service is held in his honor with 1,000 of Dolphins fans showing up to pay tribute to the former tight end and long time radio announcer. Mandich it’s announced will be enshrined in the Ring of Honor as a special contributor and the press box is renamed in his honor.

August 1st

After being away, Jason Taylor returns to the Dolphins for one final season

September 12th

Owner Stephen Ross accompanied by Tim Robbie, Dan Marino, and Don Shula re-dedicate a statue of late owner Joe Robbie. The statue had been found in a storage unit. It is now displayed on the side of the stadium opposite the festival yard on game days.

The area outside of Gate C is renamed the Joe Robbie Alumni Plaza

December 12th

The Miami Dolphins fire head coach Tony Sparano and name Todd Bowles the interim head coach after a week 14 loss to Philadelphia

December 18th

For only the 4th time in team history a running back, Reggie Bush, rushes for over 200 yards. Bush ran for 203 yards in the teams win.

December 28th

Jason Taylor announces that he will officially retire after the season.

Dec 28, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin watches the game from the sideline against the New York Jets during the first half at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

2012

January 1st

Jason Taylor is carried off the field following his final game of his career. The Dolphins all-pro defensive end almost completed the perfect finish when he ran back a fumble recovery for a touchdown, it was called back. The game, a victory of the Jets, was Miami’s 400th regular season victory.

January 20th

After an exhausting and somewhat humiliating search for a head coach, Joe Philbin is named the teams new head coach. Philbin has served as the OC for the Green Bay Packers. He becomes the 10th head coach in Dolphins history

January 27th

As Philbin begins to hire his coaching staff, long time mentor Mike Sherman is named offensive coordinator

January 29th

Brandon Marshall is awarded the Pro-Bowl MVP award becoming the third Miami Dolphins to win the honor along with Garo Yepremian and Ricky Williams

May 29th

The Dolphins announce that they will be representing the NFL on HBO’s Hard Knocks

August 10th

Dawn Aponte is promoted Executive VP of Football Operations

September 9th

Rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill becomes the first rookie QB to start a season in the teams history

September 30th

WR Brian Hartline sets team record for single game yardage catching 253 receiving yards. Ryan Tannehill throws for 431 yards becoming the 2nd highest performance by a rookie QB in league history

October 14th

As it should be, Jason Taylor and Zach Thomas enter the Dolphins Ring of Honor together at halftime.

December 16th

The Dolphins honor the 40 year anniversary of the perfect season at half-time with a large contingent of players from the ’72 team in attendance.

Prior to the game the Dolphins open their inaugural “Walk of Fame” inducting Tim Bowens, Manny Fernandez, Don Strock, and Earl Morrall outside of Gate C

Home/Dolphins All-Time Lists