Dolphins fire coach Joe Philbin after 1-3 start

Joe Philbin has been fired by the Miami Dolphins after a 1-3 start to his fourth season as the team’s head coach.

“This was a tough decision for me to make knowing how tirelessly Joe worked in his four years here to make this a winning team,” Dolphins owner Stephen Ross said in a statement Monday morning. “He is a man of the highest character and integrity that I developed a close personal relationship with. I am extremely disappointed with how we have started the season, but I feel confident that we can improve quickly with the talent we have on our roster.”

The Dolphins never made the playoffs under Philbin, going 7-9 his first season and 8-8 the past two. They opened 2015 with high hopes after landing star defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh in free agency.

But after starting the season with a lackluster 17-10 win over the Washington Redskins, Miami lost three straight, including a 27-14 defeat to the New York Jets in London on Sunday.

“I want to thank Steve Ross for allowing me the privilege to serve as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins,” Philbin said in a statement. “This is a tremendous organization from top to bottom that has a talented and dedicated staff. I want to especially thank the players, coaches and football staff who have worked so unselfishly and represented the team with dignity and class.

“I would be remiss if I didn’t thank the incredible fan base who has supported me and my family unconditionally since Day One. It is my hope that the 2015 Miami Dolphins achieve great success both on and off the field.”

The Dolphins have a bye next week and have yet to announce an interim coach.

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