Disappointing NFL Dolphins sack head coach Philbin

The Miami Dolphins sacked head coach Joe Philbin on Monday, a day after a 27-14 NFL loss to the New York Jets in London. Dan Campbell, the assistant coach in charge of tight ends, will take over head coaching duties for the remainder of the season, the club said. Sunday's defeat at Wembley dropped the Dolphins to 1-3 for the season. Miami have a bye this week, and next visit the Tennessee Titans on October 18. In announcing his decision, team owner Stephen Ross said the team was not living up to its potential. "We have to change the culture," Ross said. "This is the most talented team we've had." Campbell, 39, is a disciplinarian who played with four NFL teams from 1999-2009, winning a Super Bowl title with the New Orleans Saints in his final season. "I'm somebody that understands them," he said of the current crop of players. "I've been at the top, I've been at the bottom. I understand what it's like when things start going ... not the way you want them to. Campbell said he will focus on challenging his players to perform in every stage of training as well as in games. "You can't just go through the motions through the week and turn it on (on Sunday)," he said. "They have to be challenged. That's the first thing I'm changing. I want them to be challenged. I want them to have to compete." Club president Mike Tannenbaum said the timing was right if the Dolphins were serious about making a change and trying to compete this year. "We weren't happy the direction the team was going. We felt like this was the best opportunity to make a change and make an impact this season," he said. "The record was what it was. The timing was right, with the bye week, with 12 games left this season." This is the second successive season that a trip to London has proved hazardous to an NFL coaching career. Last year, the Oakland Raiders sacked coach Dennis Allen after his team was embarrassed 38-14 in London by Philbin's Dolphins.