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After 1-3 start, Miami Dolphins fire coach Joe Philbin

With their season going nowhere following another lackluster performance in London on Sunday, the Miami Dolphins' brass got back to the United States and decided to make a head coaching change.

Joe Philbin is out as head coach. Dan Campbell, the tight ends coach, will be the interim head coach. The Sun-Sentinel was one of the outlets to initially report the news, which was later officially announced by the team. Philbin was in his fourth Dolphins season and had a 24-28 record. The Dolphins never finished better than 8-8 or made the playoffs with him.

Here is the official statement from team owner Stephen Ross:

“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.”

And here is the statement from Philbin:

“I want to thank Steve Ross for allowing me the privilege to serve as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins. This is a tremendous organization from top to bottom that has a talented and dedicated staff. I want to especially thank the players, coaches and football staff who have worked so unselfishly and represented the team with dignity and class. I would be remiss if I didn’t thank the incredible fan base who has supported me and my family unconditionally since day one. It is my hope that the 2015 Miami Dolphins achieve great success both on and off the field.”

Things unraveled quickly for Philbin in Miami: on March 23, Ross signed him to a one-year extension, through 2016, despite the Dolphins going 1-3 over the final four games of the season, going from wild-card contender to out of the playoffs.

NFL Network's Albert Breer reported that Philbin met with his coaches briefly at noon to say goodbye. There is no word yet on the fate of defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle, though many expect he will also be let go.

As for Campbell, the Dolphins see him as a rising star. After an 11-year playing career that included stops with the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions and New Orleans Saints, with whom he won a Super Bowl ring in 2009 and then retired, he joined Tony Sparano's Miami staff as a coaching intern in 2010.

Now, after serving as the Dolphins' tight ends coach since 2011, the 39-year old is interim head coach.

After beginning this season with a lot of buzz and great promise, Miami has been one of the most disappointing teams in the NFL through the first four games, having dropped three straight games after Sunday's 27-14 loss to the New York Jets in London.

Philbin met with team owner Stephen Ross after the game, and told reporters he was feeling good about his job status. Philbin either didn't know his fate at that time or was keeping a stiff upper lip in front of cameras.

Not much about Philbin engendered much confidence that he could quickly turn things around.

Miami was outscored by a combined 37-3 in the first quarter of its four games, and was outgained 622 yards to 125 yards in that frame, a sign that the players were not properly prepared. The team has trailed at halftime in each game.

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