Brian Gaine, Miami Dolphins parting ways
Miami Dolphins helmet with the new logo at Fawcett Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports
The Miami Dolphins GM search was criticized heavily by many members of the media, and they missed out on four big fish. Despite setting their goals high, it seemed like there were some issues in the Dolphins process, as Cleveland Browns top exec Ray Farmer, who was viewed as the team’s top target, turned down the job after the Browns hired Mike Pettine (so he chose the Browns oft-criticized front office over the ‘Fins…nice). The Tampa Bay Buccaneers hired away Jason Licht, late candidate Nick Caserio unsurprisingly turned down the team and decided to stay with the New England Patriots, and Tennessee Titans VP of personnel Lake Dawson, who was the team’s best option, also turned down the ‘Fins at the end.
Once Dawson and Caserio turned down the Dolphins GM gig, Ross was left to chose between assistant GM Brian Gaine- the team’s only internal candidate- and Buccaneers front office man Dennis Hickey. Ross chose Hickey, and it will be interesting to see how he does, since he’s a wild card. I think it’s too easy to criticize the Dolphins, but it was disappointing to see them lose out on the likes of Farmer and Dawson.
Since the Dolphins chose Hickey over Gaine and never really seemed to give Gaine a fair shot despite his status as a “candidate”, it is unsurprising to see the team announce that Gaine and the ‘Fins have decided on a mutual parting of ways. Although he was always a backup plan, I’m sure the team didn’t truly consider him, and that likely frustrated Gaine a great deal. It will be interesting to see where he ends up next, because he is a solid front office worker.