Sports In South Florida Have Been A Mixed Bag In 2015
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – If you like drama 2015 was your year.
The Patriots won Super Bowl XLIX on one of the most scrutinized play calls in NFL history and Tom Brady earned his fourth championship ring while coming out of deflate gate unscathed.
"I think the dolphins are a team that is capturing the imagination of an entire fan base," Dolphins owner Stephen Ross told the media prior to the 2015 season.
Not so fast Mr. Ross, you may have cracked open your wallet but stadium renovations and Ndamukong Suh couldn't save Joe Philbin. The head coach was fired four weeks into the season.
Miami replaced the reserved Philbin with a fiery Dan Campbell but the results were the same and the Dolphins missed the playoffs for the seventh straight year.
In Coral Gables, Al Golden's destiny was literally written in the clouds and the banner planes got their wish when the Hurricanes fell to Clemson 58-0 and fired the unpopular coach but what happened next put Miami back in the national spotlight. For better or for worse.
Heads exploded when Miami pulled off one of the most controversial plays in college football history with their 8-lateral last second win over Duke, but try as you might national media, this "w" belongs to The U
The hurricanes story is still unfinished, but hiring Mark Richt has given Miami renewed hope.
Meanwhile the Marlins have been a revolving door. Mike Redmond was given the boot, Dan Jennings went from GM to game manager… a failed experiment that left many fans wondering why he ever took off the suit and tie.
Donnie baseball aka Don Mattingly will run the club in 2016, and with him comes the home run king Barry Bonds, also signed on to coach the fish.
The Heat missed the playoffs for the first time since 2008.
But LeBron not winning a title Cleveland has at least softened the blow. A season later… and Miami is back near the top of the eastern conference.
The Panthers have a bright future with some young guns and a wiley old veteran. They appear poised for their own return to the post season.
In 2015 the nation got behind a group of ladies destined for greatness. Carly Lloyd took a break from scoring goals long enough to hold up a World Cup trophy.
American Pharaoh galloped to the Triple Crown.
The Blackhawks and Royals danced in champagne.
While we all take a moment to remember those who constantly reminded us why we love sports in the first place, fans in South Florida can look ahead to 2016 with hope and optimism surrounding most of the local teams.
The Hurricanes, Panthers and Heat are all on the right track. The Dolphins and Marlins…well, time will tell.
Happy New Year!