The Miami Dolphins’ decision to hire Mike McDaniel in 2022 represented a distinct change in coaching style from the previous regime.
Former Dolphins coach Brian Flores was defensive-minded, while McDaniel handled offensive coordinator duties for the San Francisco 49ers in 2021. Each brought a different personality and took different approaches to disciplining players .
The New York Jets defeated the Dolphins last Sunday, dropping their record to 8-9. While Miami finished the 2022 and 2023 seasons with winning records and postseason berths, this season’s sub-.500 record kept the Dolphins out of the playoffs for the first time under McDaniel.
Missing the playoffs also prompted McDaniel’s final media availability before the team’s offseason.
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Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel prepares to call a timeout during the Colts game on Oct. 20, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
McDaniel made some pretty revealing confessions during the media session, suggesting that perhaps he gave the players too much freedom at times. The Dolphins’ third-year coach also argued that imposing fines lacks a certain level of effectiveness.
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“I can fine people until they’re blue in the face. I can take their money, I can yell at them,” McDaniel said. “But until they understand that part of the reason we’re in [this] position is controllable, and what we have to do [have]with absolute certainty, it’s zero tolerance for anything else, we have to clean up the controllables and we can have a chance to succeed together.”
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel reacts as Miami Dolphins quarterback Skylar Thompson is evaluated on the field during the Seahawks game, Sept. 22, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
While McDaniel didn’t name any specific players, he did hint that the Dolphins had “multiple offenders.” He then reiterated his belief that the fines are inappropriate, before noting that the internal problems that arose during the season were not widespread.
“Certain specific individuals… I don’t think it was widespread… There are a lot of guys who had certain fines before and didn’t have any. There were some people who had multiple that, you know, I think there are different ways to counteract that,” McDaniel told reporters. “Taking it out as a team and continuing to fine guys wasn’t enough, so I’m not going to continue to put all the blame on even some of the smaller individuals who were multiple offenders.”
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel looks at his play sheet during the wild card playoff game against the Buffalo Bills on Jan. 15, 2023, in Orchard Park, New York. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
However, McDaniel made it clear that he is open to making adjustments. “I will adjust my process and make sure the entire team is aware whenever things are done that are not in the best interest of winning football games,” he said.
McDaniel’s contract with the Dolphins ties him to the franchise through the 2028 season.
