Also, Julie Plec reveals why Bamon never happened. Vampire Diaries boss reveals the real reason they killed Katherine in season 5 Also, Julie Plec reveals why Bamon never happened. By Samantha Highfill :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/SamanthaHighfillauthorphoto0917254112e875604542d49744a27de908d183.jpg) Samantha Highfill Samantha Highfill is an executive editor at , where she's worked for more than 12 years covering television. EW's editorial guidelines August 18, 2021 9:00 a.m. ET Katherine Pierce was a staple of the Vampire Diaries universe.

Also, Julie Plec reveals why Bamon never happened.

Vampire Diaries boss reveals the real reason they killed Katherine in season 5

Also, Julie Plec reveals why Bamon never happened.

By Samantha Highfill

Samantha Highfill

Samantha Highfill is an executive editor at **, where she's worked for more than 12 years covering television.

EW's editorial guidelines

August 18, 2021 9:00 a.m. ET

Katherine Pierce was a staple of the *Vampire Diaries* universe. But at one point in the series, the writers had to fight to tell more of her story.

"We had to negotiate for the right to let Nina [Dobrev] play Katherine again because the season 2 Katherine [story] had really taken everything out of her and the network was being very protective," executive producer Julie Plec says about the show's fifth season during episode 5 of *EW's Binge: The Vampire Diaries*. "[The network] and studio were being very protective and they were like, 'You can't do that anymore, you can't have Katherine.'"

On an earlier episode of the podcast, Dobrev spoke about how exhausted she was at the end of season 2, the first season in which she played both Elena and Katherine in the present day. So when it came time to make Katherine human and even introduce a third Petrova doppelgänger, the writers had to get creative. "We had to basically beg the network to let us even write story for Katherine," Plec says, noting that "the triplegänger made the whole thing worth it."

Nina Dobrev as Katherine Pierce on 'The Vampire Diaries'. Tina Rowden/The CW

Fans will remember that season 5 featured Katherine taking over Elena's body, which meant that for a good chunk of the season, Dobrev only had one character to play. And then, eventually, Katherine met her demise, a decision that also came about following those negotiations. "I literally think we had to say we'll kill her in order to get permission to use her," Plec recalls.

Additionally, during the podcast, Plec discusses the choice to have Bonnie (Kat Graham) and Damon (Ian Somerhalder) be the two characters who "die" together at the end of season 5, which led to a discussion about Bamon, the popular ship. "Bonnie and Damon had a thing in the books we had sort of always said, 'We don't buy a romantic connection between Bonnie and Damon because Damon's just done too many terrible things and Bonnie just has more integrity than that,'" Plec says. "But we wanted to service that relationship in the canon a little bit."

For more about season 5—and the series overall—listen to the full episode below:

**To listen, subscribe to *EW's Binge: The Vampire Diaries* feed via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. You can also subscribe to EW's YouTube page to catch all the video interviews and stay tuned to EW.com.**

**Related content:**

- *Vampire Diaries* bosses on the 'controversial' sire bond and the role Pedro Pascal auditioned for

- *Vampire Diaries* boss Julie Plec explains why Klaroline could never happen today

- *Vampire Diaries* star Paul Wesley on Stelena's season 2 split: I was 'dealing with my own stuff' on screen

- *Vampire Diaries* creators talk season 1 Katherine twist, the fan response that left them 'aghast'

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Vampire Diaries boss reveals the real reason they killed Katherine in season 5

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Listen to the final episode of EW's Binge: Vampire Diaries podcast. Vampire Diaries bosses on casting Enzo as a Salvatore brother and Damon's fate in the finale Listen to the final episode of EW's Binge: Vampire Diaries podcast. By Samantha Highfill :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/SamanthaHighfillauthorphoto0917254112e875604542d49744a27de908d183.jpg) Samantha Highfill Samantha Highfill is an executive editor at , where she's worked for more than 12 years covering television. EW's editorial guidelines August 27, 2021 9:00 a.m.

Listen to the final episode of EW's Binge: Vampire Diaries podcast.

Vampire Diaries bosses on casting Enzo as a Salvatore brother and Damon's fate in the finale

Listen to the final episode of EW's Binge: Vampire Diaries podcast.

By Samantha Highfill

Samantha Highfill

Samantha Highfill is an executive editor at **, where she's worked for more than 12 years covering television.

EW's editorial guidelines

August 27, 2021 9:00 a.m. ET

For *The Vampire Diaries* creatives, casting Enzo was a particularly difficult task. Because originally, the role was going to be very different.

"You were supposed to be the third Salvatore brother," executive producer Julie Plec tells star Michael Malarkey in episode 8 of *EW's Binge: The Vampire Diaries*. Writer Brett Matthews adds, "That was always the plan, and then it went a different direction, but that's why it was so hard to find the person. We thought it was going to be a Salvatore brother, so we cast a very wide net [and] looked very hard." Ultimately, they scrapped that plan and made it so Enzo didn't share Salvatore blood, but he was a brother figure for Damon (Ian Somerhalder) for many years (and he was sired by Lily Salvatore).

But that wasn't the only plan that changed in the writers' room over the years. In discussing the *Vampire Diaries*' final season, Plec and Matthews recall the final major debate: Which Salvatore were they going to kill in the series finale? "We went back and forth in the writers' room all season long," Plec says. "We finally landed on: We're killing Damon. That's the right thing to do. He is the one with the consequence to pay. Stefan was morally a bit stronger of a character."

Michael Malarkey as Enzo and Ian Somerhalder as Damon on 'The Vampire Diaries'. Annette Brown/The CW; Bob Mahoney/The CW

Matthews adds, "Damon's a fairly obvious choice," noting that the writers really fell in love with the idea of Damon compelling Stefan (Paul Wesley) to let him die. But when executive producer Kevin Williamson proposed that it should be Stefan that dies, they started to rethink their plan. "It felt like dying for Stefan freed him from a lot of weight, whereas it felt like living for Damon freed him to go and be the man that he was always supposed to be," Plec says.

Of course, both Salvatores were meant to die in the original ending Plec and Williamson came up with during the show's second season. In that ending, "The boys would sacrifice themselves to save Elena so that Elena could go and have a life and be human and live," Plec recalls during the podcast. "To save her, they would die together, and that was always the pitch. And then when Nina [Dobrev] left, it felt like the show can't be as much about protecting Elena's happiness, although that's important to us, but we want to protect the bothers' happiness, we want them to get something out of this. Then it shifted to: We can't kill both of them for her because that feels somehow like nobody got what they wanted. Let's find a different way to give one of these brothers the happiness that they need and the other brother the closure that they need."

(One other way Dobrev leaving changed the plan? Plec says, "I thought that by the time we came back to the end of the series, whenever it was, that Elena would've found her way back to Stefan and Damon would've found a different path.")

For more about the final season, listen to the full podcast episode below:

**To listen, subscribe to *EW's Binge: The Vampire Diaries* feed via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. You can also subscribe to EW's YouTube page to catch all the video interviews, and stay tuned to EW.com.**

**Related content:**

- *Vampire Diaries* star Ian Somerhaldher reveals why he was jealous of Chris Wood's Kai

- *Vampire Diaries* boss reveals the real reason they killed Katherine in season 5

- *Vampire Diaries* bosses on the 'controversial' sire bond and the role Pedro Pascal auditioned for

- *Vampire Diaries* boss Julie Plec explains why Klaroline could never happen today

- Sci-Fi & Fantasy Shows

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What we know about Rashee Rice domestic abuse allegations

What we know about Rashee Rice domestic abuse allegations Steve Gardner, USA TODAY January 8, 2026 at 11:07 PM 4 Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice is the subject of domestic violence allegations leveled by his former girlfriend and the mother of their two children. In an Instagram post on Jan. 7, Rice's exgirlfriend posted photos of herself with a bloody lip, as well as several scratches and bruises. Although she didn't name Rice directly, she alleges she has been the subject of physical and mental abuse for several years.

- - What we know about Rashee Rice domestic abuse allegations

Steve Gardner, USA TODAY January 8, 2026 at 11:07 PM

4

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice is the subject of domestic violence allegations leveled by his former girlfriend and the mother of their two children.

In an Instagram post on Jan. 7, Rice's ex-girlfriend posted photos of herself with a bloody lip, as well as several scratches and bruises. Although she didn't name Rice directly, she alleges she has been the subject of physical and mental abuse for several years.

"It's been nothing but hell," she wrote, adding, "I've protected his image too long and I'm done doing that. It's time to protect my peace, protect my children and stand up for myself."

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice prepares to take the field against the Arizona Cardinals during a 2025 preseason game at State Farm Stadium.What are the allegations against Rashee Rice?

In an Instagram post containing several graphic photos, Rice's former girlfriend made references to physical violence against her and her home, destruction of property and infidelity. No associated police reports had been filed in Overland Park, Kansas, where Jones alleges the abuse occurred, per reports.

What has the NFL said about the Rashee Rice situation?

The NFL, in a statement to USA TODAY Sports, said on Jan. 8 that it has been in contact with the Chiefs, and the allegations against Rice "will be reviewed under the league's personal conduct policy."

NFL's statement regarding the Rashee Rice situation:"We have been in contact with the club about the matter which will be reviewed under the league's personal conduct policy."https://t.co/QHe5iEMo9b

— Tyler Dragon (@TheTylerDragon) January 8, 2026

What did the Chiefs say about the Rashee Rice situation?

The Chiefs released a statement on Jan. 7, but did not specifically mention Rice.

"The club is aware of the allegations on social media and is in communication with the National Football League," the statement said. "We have no further comment at this time."

What did the NFLPA players union say about the Rashee Rice Situation.

NFLPA spokesman Brandon Parker told USA TODAY Sports: "The NFLPA is aware of the allegations and we have no further comment at this time."

Rashee Rice's past legal issues

Rice was suspended for the first six games of the 2025 NFL regular season for his involvement in a high-speed car crash in March 2024.

He pleaded guilty July 17, 2025, to two third-degree felony charges: collision involving serious bodily injury, and racing on a highway causing bodily injury. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail and five years of probation.

He has not been charged in connection with the woman's allegations.

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788.

USA TODAY reporter Danielle Lerner contributed.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Chiefs WR Rashee Rice accused of domestic violence: What we know

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What we know about Rashee Rice domestic abuse allegations

What we know about Rashee Rice domestic abuse allegations Steve Gardner, USA TODAY January 8, 2026 at 11:07 PM 4 Kansa...

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Commanders CB Marshon Lattimore reportedly arrested on weapons charges

Commanders CB Marshon Lattimore reportedly arrested on weapons charges Sean Leahy January 9, 2026 at 12:59 AM 4 Marshon Lattimore played only nine games during the 2025 NFL season after suffering a torn ACL in Week 9 against the Seattle Seahawks. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) (Greg Fiume via Getty Images) Washington Commanders cornerback Marshon Lattimore was arrested by Lakewood, Ohio, police Wednesday night on charges of carrying concealed weapons and improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle, according to WKYC.com.

- - Commanders CB Marshon Lattimore reportedly arrested on weapons charges

Sean Leahy January 9, 2026 at 12:59 AM

4

Marshon Lattimore played only nine games during the 2025 NFL season after suffering a torn ACL in Week 9 against the Seattle Seahawks. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) (Greg Fiume via Getty Images)

Washington Commanders cornerback Marshon Lattimore was arrested by Lakewood, Ohio, police Wednesday night on charges of carrying concealed weapons and improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle, according to WKYC.com.

Police told WKYC that Lattimore was a passenger in a vehicle that was stopped for having expired license plates and other traffic violations. The NFL veteran was taken into custody because he did not reveal that a gun was inside the vehicle when asked by an officer.

"We have been made aware of the arrest and are gathering more information. We have informed the NFL League Office and have no further comment at this time," the Commanders said in a statement.

Lattimore was booked at the Lakewood jail and released pending further investigation. Charges have not been filed.

In 2021, Lattimore was arrested in Cleveland on suspicion of possessing a stolen gun and later charged with receiving stolen property, a fourth-degree felony. Eight months later, he pleaded guilty to carrying a concealed weapon, a first-degree misdemeanor. He was placed on a year of non-reporting probation, avoiding a 180-day jail sentence.

The 29-year-old Lattimore joined the Commanders via a 2024 trade after spending parts of his first eight NFL seasons with the New Orleans Saints. The four-time Pro Bowler played only nine games during the 2025 season after suffering a torn ACL in Week 9 against the Seattle Seahawks.

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Commanders CB Marshon Lattimore reportedly arrested on weapons charges

Commanders CB Marshon Lattimore reportedly arrested on weapons charges Sean Leahy January 9, 2026 at 12:59 AM 4 Marshon...

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Brazil, France, others plan pre-World Cup friendlies in U.S.

Brazil, France, others plan preWorld Cup friendlies in U.S. Field Level MediaJanuary 9, 2026 at 3:27 AM 0 Dec 18, 2022; Lusail, Qatar; France forward Kylian Mbappe (10) celebrates after scoring a goal against Argentina on a penalty kick for his third goal of the match during extra time of the 2022 World Cup final at Lusail Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Yukihito TaguchiImagn Images (Yukihito TaguchiImagn Images) Trophy contenders Brazil, France, Croatia and Colombia will tune up for this summer's FIFA World Cup in North America by playing friendlies in the United States in March.

- - Brazil, France, others plan pre-World Cup friendlies in U.S.

Field Level MediaJanuary 9, 2026 at 3:27 AM

0

Dec 18, 2022; Lusail, Qatar; France forward Kylian Mbappe (10) celebrates after scoring a goal against Argentina on a penalty kick for his third goal of the match during extra time of the 2022 World Cup final at Lusail Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Yukihito Taguchi-Imagn Images (Yukihito Taguchi-Imagn Images)

Trophy contenders Brazil, France, Croatia and Colombia will tune up for this summer's FIFA World Cup in North America by playing friendlies in the United States in March.

The "Road to 26" series of matches announced Thursday will be played in Boston, Orlando, Fla., and the Washington, D.C., area during the FIFA international window.

In the current FIFA world rankings, France ranks No. 3, Brazil is No. 5, Croatia is No. 10 and Colombia is No. 13 (just ahead of the United States).

Vinicius Junior and Brazil will face Kylian Mbappe and France at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., on March 26 at 4 p.m. ET., a rematch of the 1998 World Cup final won by the French side.

Luis Diaz and Colombia will take on title-hungry Croatia at 7:30 p.m. on the same day at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. Croatia finished second at the 2018 World Cup and third in 2022.

On March 29, Colombia and France will meet at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md., at 3 p.m. ET.

The series concludes on March 31 in Orlando with Brazil facing Croatia.

The 48-team 2026 World Cup, taking place in 16 cities across the U.S., Canada and Mexico, runs from June 11 through July 19.

--Field Level Media

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Brazil, France, others plan preWorld Cup friendlies in U.S. Field Level MediaJanuary 9, 2026 at 3:27 AM 0 Dec 18, 2022; Lus...

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Fans Brawl in Stands at Warriors-Bucks Game in Wild Video: Watch

Fans Brawl in Stands at WarriorsBucks Game in Wild Video: Watch Natasha DyeJanuary 9, 2026 at 1:45 AM 1 Jed Jacobsohn/NBAE via Getty Stephen Curry on Jan. 7, 2025 A fight broke out between fans at the Golden State Warriors game on Wednesday, Jan. 7 A man in a Steph Curry jersey was seen in video footage hitting another fan multiple times and eventually being removed from the section by arena security Details about what led to the incident remain unclear A wild scene was caught on video when fans broke into a fullon fistfight at a Golden State Warriors game.

- - Fans Brawl in Stands at Warriors-Bucks Game in Wild Video: Watch

Natasha DyeJanuary 9, 2026 at 1:45 AM

1

Jed Jacobsohn/NBAE via Getty

Stephen Curry on Jan. 7, 2025 -

A fight broke out between fans at the Golden State Warriors game on Wednesday, Jan. 7

A man in a Steph Curry jersey was seen in video footage hitting another fan multiple times and eventually being removed from the section by arena security

Details about what led to the incident remain unclear

A wild scene was caught on video when fans broke into a full-on fistfight at a Golden State Warriors game.

As the team hosted the Milwaukee Bucks at Chase Center on Wednesday, Jan. 7, security at the arena was called to break up a fight between fans in the stands, and another spectator from across the arena captured the wild moments.

The video shows a man wearing a Steph Curry jersey taking multiple swings at another person. Chaos continued to ensue as he threw additional punches and at one point a woman in the row attempted to break up the fight.

They're throwing hands at Chase Center tonight pic.twitter.com/ffTxLGr8Gw

— warriorsworld (@warriorsworld) January 8, 2026

After a few moments, Chase Center security came and physically removed the man wearing the Curry jersey. As he was escorted away from his seat, the man continued to yell at the other fans, though what he was saying couldn't be heard in the video.

It remains unclear what started the fight on Wednesday — which also marked the Warriors' Hello Kitty Night celebration — and whether the fan was ejected from the building.

The Warriors went on to win the game 120-113 behind 31 points from Curry, including a major three-pointer in the final minute of the game.

The Chase Center fight comes almost one year after a basketball game between Saint Louis University and Virginia Commonwealth University was delayed for a full seven minutes after a brawl between fans broke out in the stands on Jan. 28, 2025.

Footage of that altercation quickly made the rounds on social media, as multiple views and angles of the fight were shared — although the footage still was unable to show what initially started the incident.

on People

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Fans Brawl in Stands at WarriorsBucks Game in Wild Video: Watch Natasha DyeJanuary 9, 2026 at 1:45 AM 1 Jed Jacobsohn/NB...

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Dolphins fire Mike McDaniel, the quirky, inventive coach who they once viewed as their future

Dolphins fire Mike McDaniel, the quirky, inventive coach who they once viewed as their future ALANIS THAMES January 8, 2026 at 9:22 PM 1 1 / 2Buccaneers Dolphins FootballMiami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel speaks during a news conference after an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Mike McDaniel has run out of luster in Miami.

- - Dolphins fire Mike McDaniel, the quirky, inventive coach who they once viewed as their future

ALANIS THAMES January 8, 2026 at 9:22 PM

1

1 / 2Buccaneers Dolphins FootballMiami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel speaks during a news conference after an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Mike McDaniel has run out of luster in Miami.

The Dolphins fired the dry-witted, wunderkind coach who they once viewed as the future of the franchise on Thursday, ending his four-year tenure that was defined by soaring — and unfulfilled — expectations.

McDaniel fell out of favor following a 7-10 season in which Miami missed the playoffs for a second straight year.

"After careful evaluation and extensive discussions since the season ended, I have made the decision that our organization is in need of comprehensive change," Dolphins owner Stephen Ross said in a statement. "I informed Mike McDaniel this morning that he has been relieved of his duties as head coach."

The Dolphins went 35-33 under McDaniel, reaching the playoffs in his first two seasons but losing in the first round each time. Miami missed the postseason in 2024 after being eliminated by the Jets in the regular-season finale. This year, their postseason hopes ended with a loss to Pittsburgh in Week 15, ensuring that their 25-year playoff-win drought would continue.

"When I took this job, I had a vision of a team that was bonded together and played with passion and energy on the path to winning championships," McDaniel said in a statement. "I gave everything I had for that goal. I'm disappointed, especially for the fans, that we did not have better results on the field."

Miami parted ways with longtime general manager Chris Grier on Oct. 31 and began its search for a new general manager this week. But a disjointed finish to the season that saw former first-round pick Tua Tagovailoa get benched proved the final straw for Ross.

"I love Mike and want to thank him for his hard work, commitment, and the energy he brought to our organization," Ross said in his statement. "Mike is an incredibly creative football mind whose passion for the game and his players was evident every day. I wish him and his family the best moving forward."

McDaniel, 42, arrived in Miami in 2022 after one season as San Francisco's offensive coordinator. Credited with adding inventive wrinkles to the 49ers' run game, the first-time head coach was billed as the creative mind who, along with Tagovailoa, was supposed to lift the Dolphins out of years of mediocrity.

Initially, things appeared to be heading that way.

McDaniel won 20 of his first 33 games, including a 3-0 start during his first year with wins over Baltimore, Buffalo and New England. He took the Dolphins to the playoffs that season and nearly beat the Bills with rookie Skylar Thompson starting in place of the concussed Tagovailoa.

His off-the-cuff jokes, idiosyncratic sayings and flashy style were a refreshing deviation from the approach of many other head coaches — but they were also initially met with needed results on the field.

Tagovailoa had credited McDaniel with rebuilding his confidence after former Dolphins coach Brian Flores tore it down as a young quarterback. Tagovailoa said last year that the constant criticism early in his career left him doubting himself. He was the fifth pick in the 2020 draft and won the starting job, but was benched twice as a rookie and faced uncertainty his second year amid speculation the Dolphins were seeking a trade for Deshaun Watson.

"To put it in simplest terms," Tagovailoa said in a 2024 interview on "The Dan LeBatard Show," if you woke up every morning and I told you you suck at what you did, that you don't belong doing what you do, that you shouldn't be here, that this guy should be here, that you haven't earned this right. ... And then you have somebody else come in and tell you, 'Dude, you are the best fit for us, you are accurate, you are the best.' How would it make you feel listening to one or the other?"

With McDaniel tailoring Miami's offense to his strengths, Tagovailoa led the NFL's top offense in 2023, throwing for a league-best 4,624 yards and 29 touchdowns. He led the league in 2024 with a 72.9 completion rate.

Since that season, which ended in a 26-7 loss in a frigid wild-card game at Kansas City, the Dolphins have gone 15-19, and appear far from the franchise that just a couple of years ago spoke of contending for a Super Bowl.

They haven't won a playoff game since 2000, the longest active drought in the NFL. And they have made headlines more for culture issues in the past year than on-field success.

Tyreek Hill, the star receiver who the Dolphins acquired from the Chiefs in 2022, took himself out of last year's regular-season finale and later told reporters "I'm out," expressing frustration with not making the playoffs for the first time in his career.

Hill — who suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 4 — later apologized, walked back those comments and stated his commitment to the Dolphins. But his actions seemed to reflect behind the scenes culture issues with the Dolphins in 2024, which included instances of players repeatedly showing up late to meetings.

McDaniel, Grier and veteran players said during the offseason that many of those issues had been addressed, and they commended the new team camaraderie that they hoped would help them get off to a fast start in 2025.

The Dolphins opened the season with a 33-8 drubbing by Indianapolis and ended it with another blowout loss to New England. Now, they head into another offseason of uncertainty.

"Eventually, like everybody else in this league, you're not entitled to this position," McDaniel said Monday. "If I'm not able to win regular-season games, playoff games and Super Bowls, eventually the job won't be mine."

___

This story has been corrected to show that McDaniel was 35-33 as Dolphins coach, not 35-32.

___

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Dolphins fire Mike McDaniel, the quirky, inventive coach who they once viewed as their future

Dolphins fire Mike McDaniel, the quirky, inventive coach who they once viewed as their future ALANIS THAMES January ...

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