On Monday, the Miami Dolphins mercifully ended the Joe Philbin era after a few years of dull mediocrity, give or take a bullying scandal.
Dolphins owner Stephen Ross released a statement on the firing, calling it a “tough decision.”
“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. 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. We will soon be announcing an interim coach to lead the team going forward.”
Reactions from around Twitter were pretty uniform on Philbin’s firing. They came in two forms.
1. Joe Philbin was a Good Man.
2. Joe Philbin deserved to be fired.
Yes, even Joe Philbin Twitter takes are nearly as boring as Joe Philbin.
Joe Philbin wasn't very good head coach, but is a good man at the end of the day. I know you folks don't care, but it shouldn't be lost.
— Armando Salguero (@ArmandoSalguero) October 5, 2015
Joe Philbin is a good guy, but his firing today is not unjustified or premature. #Dolphins gave him a fair shot.
— Greg Cote (@gregcote) October 5, 2015
If you want to be REAL about it, it was time for Joe Philbin to GO! pic.twitter.com/gUL1gbj37f
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) October 5, 2015
Have known Joe Philbin and his family a long time (and through his family tragedy). Feel for him, good and solid family man. #philbin
— Andrew Brandt (@adbrandt) October 5, 2015
Lesson learned from the Joe Philbin experience: Don't hand your NFL franchise to someone who IS NOT a leader of men. They must respect him
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) October 5, 2015
Not to brag, but this morning I subbed in Joe Philbin for Charlie Strong in my 'First Coach to Be Fired' league on Draft Kings!
— Adam Rank (@adamrank) October 5, 2015
