How have Dolphins fared in third season under different head coaches?
The Miami Dolphins are entering into Year 3 of the Brian Flores era. And, with momentum on their side after a 10-win season in 2020 and another influx of gifted young talent, Miami is looking to make a big leap and transition into a legitimate contender this upcoming season. Whether or not that actually happens or not will be determined over the next six months  but Flores appears well positioned to have his team capable of answering the call and rising to the occasion. While the vibe in South Florida is a positive one, the team desperately needs it to be: historically, the Dolphins havent found much fortunes awaiting them over the last 20 years of head coaches. Flores sports a 15-17 record through his first 32 career games in Miami. And his Dolphins will now make a run at the postseason; but Flores cant look to his predecessors for much inspiration. Heres how each of Miamis previous full-time head coaches has fared in their respective third season with the Dolphins. George Wilson  1968: 5-8-1 (+1 win)  1967: 4-10  1966: 3-11  Don Shula  1972: 14-0, Super Bowl champions (+4 wins)  1971: 10-3-1, Lost Super Bowl  1970: 10-4, Lost Divisional round  Jimmy Johnson  1998: 10-6, lost Divisional round (+1 win)  1997: 9-7, lost Wild Card round  1996: 8-8  Dave Wannstedt  2002: 9-7 (-2 wins)  2001: 11-5, lost Wild Card round  2000: 11-5, lost Divisional round  Nick Saban  2007: returned to collegiate football  2006: 6-10 (-3 wins)  2005: 9-7  Cam Cameron  2009: Second year as Ravens offensive coordinator  2008: Fired from Dolphins  2007: 1-15  Tony Sparano  2010: 7-9 (+0 wins)  2009: 7-9  2008: 11-5, lost Wild Card round  Joe Philbin  2014: 8-8 (+0 wins)  2013: 8-8  2012: 7-9  Adam Gase  2018: 7-9 (+1 win)  2017: 6-10  2016: 10-6, lost Wild Card round  It has been over 20 years since weve seen a Dolphins head coach improve their record in three consecutive seasons to start their career in Miami. And, as a matter of fact, the first three in the history of the team are the only three to achieve that feat (Wilson, Shula and Johnson). Flores will need 11 wins in 2021 to join the club  and perhaps then hell be able to break another 20+ year drought in South Florida:  Miami last won a playoff game in 2000; a Wild Card win over Peyton Mannings Colts on December 30, 2000.