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Factoid

Miami Dolphins

Joe Philbin back for a fourth season

The Dolphins are sticking with Joe Philbin. He hasn’t had a winning record in any of his three seasons, but they’re bringing him back for another year. This doesn’t happen often.

By my count (and I don’t think I missed any) ten other teams in this century have failed to have a winning record three straight years then brought back the same coach to try, try again.

Four of these teams (40 percent) then finished with a winning record in that fourth season. Most famously, it happened last year with the Cowboys under Jason Garrett, who went 12-4 and won the NFC East.

But six of the 10 teams finished with losing records in that extra season.

Philbin, like Garrett, hasn’t been losing but has been hovering around .500. Miami was 7-9 in 2012 and has been 8-8 the last two years.

FOURTH TIME'S A CHARM
YearTeamCoachRecord
2003Arizona CardinalsDave McGinnis4-12
2005Houston TexansDom Capers2-14
2007Tennessee TitansJeff Fisher10-6
2008San Francisco 49ersMike Nolan7-9
2009Houston TexansGary Kubiak9-7
2009Buffalo BillsDick Jauron6-10
2009Cincinnati BengalsMarvin Lewis10-6
2011Jacksonville JaguarsJack Del Rio5-11
2014New York JetsRex Ryan4-12
2014Dallas CowboysJason Garrett12-4
2015Miami DolphinsJoe Philbin?-?

—Ian Allan

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