By Simon Evans

MIAMI (Reuters) - A day after a series of errors on special teams in a 41-14 loss to the New England Patriots, the Miami Dolphins fired their special teams coordinator John Bonamego.

Head coach Tony Sparano said he had promoted Darren Rizzi from special teams assistant coach to coordinator after releasing Bonamego.

"It's a hard decision to make because he's a helluva guy and I know how hard this guy works. Nobody works harder than him at what he does," Sparano told a news conference.

The Patriots blocked a punt and a field goal, with the blocked field goal returned for a touchdown, and also had a 103-yard kickoff return by Brandon Tate for a touchdown.

Miami slipped to third in the AFC East with a 2-2 record after their second defeat to divisional rivals.

The New Yorks Jets and the Patriots head the division with 3-1 records.

(Reporting by Simon Evans in Miami; Editing by John Mehaffey)