Miami Dolphins: A decade of controversy may finally come to an end

The Dennis Hickey search – January 2014

In 2014 the Miami Dolphins had fired Jeff Ireland and began a new search for his replacement. It was another front and center moment for Stephen Ross to show what he could do as an NFL owner. Unfortunately, the process was botched and no one wanted to take the job.

There were rumors that Ross was refusing new GM’s opportunity to control the fate of Joe Philbin.  In fact, one potential candidate agreed to keep Philbin for another year while evaluating him but Ross declined to allow that prospect to control Philbin’s future at all.

The Dolphins interview processed continued from the end of the regular season until late January. It was an exhaustive search but one that simply was more controversial than anything else. Miami reportedly interviewed well over 10 potential candidates. Some would interview twice, others would decline a second interview and it was reported that at least four candidates were offered the job and turned it down.

On January 26th, Dennis Hickey who had been in charge of player personnel with the Buccaneers was offered the job and accepted it. He had almost no power and less experience than any other person interviewed for the job. Dawn Aponte was not interviewed according to reports but had involvement in the hiring process.

Hickey would last only two seasons with the Dolphins before being replaced. Hickey would control the roster and the draft but had no control over Joe Philbin. Philbin would be fired midway through the 2015 season.