Mike McDaniel reflects on approach to player discipline amid remarks about Dolphins’ poor season
The Miami DolphinsThe decision to hire Mike McDaniel in 2022 represented a clear 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 distinct personality and took different approaches to player discipline.
The New York Jets they 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, a sub-.500 record this season kept the Dolphins from making 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, Oct. 20, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
McDaniel did made some pretty telling admissions during the media session, suggesting that he may have been giving players too much space at times. The Dolphins’ third-year coach also argued that the penalties don’t have 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 can be controlled, and what we have to [have]with absolute certainty, there is zero tolerance for anything else, we have to clean up the controllers and we can have a chance to succeed together.”
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel reacts as Miami Dolphins running back Skylar Thompson is evaluated on the field during the Seahawks game, Sept. 22, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
While McDaniel stopped short of naming any specific players, he hinted that the Dolphins had “multiple perpetrators.” He then doubled down on his belief that the fines were inadequate, before noting that the internal problems that arose during the season were not widespread.
“Certain specific individuals … I don’t think it was all-encompassing … There’s a lot of guys who had certain fines before and didn’t. There were people who had multiple fines, you know, I think there’s different ways to let’s stand up to it,” McDaniel told reporters. “Bringing it out as a team and continuing to punish the guys wasn’t enough, so I’m not going to continue to put all the blame on even some of the smallest individuals who were repeat offenders.”
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel looks at his roster during a wild-card playoff game against the Buffalo Bills, Jan. 15, 2023, in Orchard Park, New York. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Even so, McDaniel made it clear he’s open to adjustments. “I will adjust my process and make sure the whole team is always aware that things are being done that are not in the best interest of winning football games,” he said.
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McDaniel’s contract with the Dolphins ties him to the franchise through the 2028 season.
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