Ranking Dolphins coaches: Don Shula obviously No. 1, but where to slot Brian Flores?

The Brian Flores era with the Dolphins ended abruptly when Stephen Ross fired him last week.

Flores led the Dolphins through that rocky “Tank for Tua” season in 2019 and endured ups and downs of early season losses and late season victories, so the final book on his time in Miami is a mixed bag. All of which raises the question of how he compares with other non-interim head coaches in the organization’s history.

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Our ranking:

1. Don Shula

Years: 1970-95

W-L: 257-133-2

Winning seasons: 20

Losing seasons: 2

Playoffs: 17-14

Comment: We realize it’s a stunner to see Shula atop this list, sort of like seeing “Jordan” first in a ranking of greatest Chicago Bulls ever. This goes beyond Shula leading the Dolphins to their only Super Bowl appearances and two championships. Try this one: In 26 seasons in Miami, Shula had as many losing seasons (two) as this franchise has had in the past four years alone. That’s both a tremendous tribute to his consistency as well as a sobering statement on how far this franchise has declined.

2. Jimmy Johnson

Years: 1996-99

W-L: 36-28

Winning seasons: 3

Losing seasons: None

Playoffs: 2-3

Comment: J.J. is the only Dolphins coach post-Shula to win multiple playoff games, knocking off Buffalo in the first round in 1998 and Seattle (away, no less) in ’99. He also gets credit for drafting Jason Taylor in the third round in 1997 and for arranging for Dave Wannstedt to take over.

3. Dave Wannstedt

Years: 2000-04

W-L: 42-31

Winning seasons: 4

Losing seasons: Was 1-8 in partial final season

Playoffs: 1-2

Comment: Still mind-boggling to think that on Dec. 30, 2000, the Dolphins defeated Indianapolis 23-17 in overtime, marking their most recent postseason victory. Wannstedt was often criticized for playing it close to the vest, but Dan Marino was no longer at quarterback. An underrated and under-appreciated Jay Fiedler was.

4. Brian Flores

Years: 2019-21

W-L: 24-25

Winning seasons: 2

Losing seasons: 1

Playoffs: None

Comment: Flores gets credit for somehow piecing together a semi-respectable team from the scrap heap his first season, then flirting with the playoffs his next two years. He loses points for that seven-game losing streak that doomed this past season and for the revolving door that was his coaching staff because he isn’t the easiest guy to work with. The Dolphins painted him as unwilling to collaborate with others (mainly GM Chris Grier).

5. Tony Sparano

Years: 2008-11

W-L: 29-32

Winning seasons: 1

Losing seasons: 2 (plus 4-9 in partial final season)

Playoffs: 0-1

Comment: Nobody celebrated field goals like Sparano, another conservative coach. One thing to keep in mind: It was Sparano who brought Brian Daboll to the Dolphins in 2011 as offensive coordinator. Now Daboll is a candidate to return as head coach.

6. Adam Gase

Years: 2016-18

W-L: 23-25

Winning seasons: 1

Losing seasons: 2

Playoffs: 0-1

Comment: The Quarterback Whisperer never did figure out how to get as much out of Ryan Tannehill as Mike Vrabel has. Gase gets the edge over the next guy on this list by virtue of his 10-6 first season when the Dolphins rode Jay Ajayi into the playoffs.

7. Nick Saban

Years: 2005-06

W-L: 15-17

Winning seasons: 1

Losing seasons: 1

Playoffs: None

Comment: Don Shula never forgave Saban for dashing off the way he did. Safe to say a number of fans in South Florida haven’t either.

8. Joe Philbin

Years: 2012-15

W-L: 24-28

Winning seasons: None

Losing seasons: 1

Playoffs: None

Comment: Man of character. Just wasn’t head-coach material.

9. George Wilson

Years: 1966-69

W-L: 15-39-2

Winning seasons: None

Losing seasons: 4

Playoffs: None

Comment: How many expansion coaches really have a chance?

10. Cam Cameron

Years: 2007

W-L: 1-15

Winning seasons: None

Losing seasons: 1

Playoffs: Seriously?

Comment: Why?

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: How does Brian Flores stack up among Miami Dolphins head coaches?