‘Tis the season for mutual partings.
The trend launched last year by the 49ers and coach Jim Harbaugh continues into 2016, with the Dolphins announcing that the team and G.M. Dennis Hickey have “parted ways.” Even if there really wasn’t anything mutual about it.
“I want to thank Dennis for his work over the last two years. We talked about a number of different possibilities, but at the end we reached this agreement,” executive V.P. of football operations Mike Tannenbaum said in a release. “I have a great deal of respect for what he accomplished here and wish Dennis and his family well.”
“I have been blessed to be the General Manager of the Miami Dolphins for the last two seasons and I want to thank Stephen Ross for giving me this opportunity,” Hickey said in the same release. “During my time here with the Dolphins, I approached each day with passion, drive and integrity in trying to bring a championship to this proud franchise. Over the past week, I have had a number of conversations with the Dolphins organization about my role in the team. Ultimately the Dolphins and I agreed that it would be best if we parted ways. I will always be proud of our accomplishments in Miami including many key additions to the team through the draft and free agency. I am also thankful for all the relationships that were built here with scouting department, the staff, coaches, fans, alumni, and South Florida community. My family and I will always appreciate all of the support we have received over the past two seasons. We wish everyone the best going forward.”
The move originally was expected to happen Monday. As word got out, the timetable apparently accelerated.
Moving forward, continue to keep an eye on director of college scouting Chris Grier as a potential replacement. The replacement definitely won’t be Tannenbaum, who won’t be enhancing the executive V.P. of football operations title with the label of General Manager.