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Marcel Louis-Jacques
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The media room at Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid is considerably larger than the cramped space at Hard Rock Stadium where Miami Dolphins players and coaches usually hold their post-game discussions. This venue resembles an auditorium, featuring a stage and roughly 100 ivory chairs adorned with Real Madrid’s emblem.
It was here that Miami Dolphins running back Ollie Gordon II addressed the media following his team’s overtime victory against the Washington Commanders in November. As Gordon spoke, Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel discreetly left the stage and settled into a chair in the second row.
When the team’s communications staff called for the final question, McDaniel interjected.
«Talk about how exceptional you’re coached,» he said with a straight face.
The room erupted in laughter, a quintessential McDaniel moment.
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McDaniel has become well-known for his quirky moments, deadpan humor, and rich sarcasm. However, those who have played for him, both past and present, portray McDaniel as much more than that—a thoughtful, genuine, and astute coach who stands among the NFL’s most influential strategists.
«Mike is introducing innovative approaches to the plays we run. People are going to emulate him because he is doing things that have never been attempted before,» Dolphins offensive lineman Dan Brunskill stated. «Many coaches occasionally devise something new. But Mike is perhaps the most groundbreaking coach; it’s not simply recycling old clips. It’s creating fresh content by meshing various clips together to form something unprecedented.»
After a tumultuous start to the 2025 season with a 2-7 record, the Dolphins parted ways with general manager Chris Grier, and McDaniel was pegged as the frontrunner to be the next coach dismissed. Analysts speculated whether the locker room believed in him or if he had lost their trust. Contrary to popular opinion, he had not—due, not only to his tactical knowledge, but the meaningful connections he has forged with the players. His rapport has been built through various engagements, encompassing grand gestures like a comprehensive 700-play highlights reel aimed at boosting a player’s confidence to more subtle moments like a brief chat on the back of a chartered plane following a victorious game.
Since that rocky outset, the Dolphins have secured four consecutive wins, including a resounding victory over the Buffalo Bills in Week 10, and now have a chance to even up their record against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday (8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN). McDaniel has noted that players can easily discern inauthenticity; so far, he has successfully avoided that pitfall.
His genuine nature was shaped through personal struggles on his path to becoming a head coach. He encountered dismissal and faced criticism regarding his habits and lifestyle choices. He has navigated tougher challenges than a 2-7 record.
«Mike gets it. The experiences he endured have equipped him with a deep understanding of people,» said Dolphins offensive lineman Kendall Lamm. «Often, such insights come only after one faces hardship, after being down and out. He truly comprehends.
«Some individuals can’t achieve that. Regardless of one’s opinion on his coaching abilities, it’s impressive that he can empathize—many in this league struggle with understanding emotions.»
The narratives surrounding the man and coach who has substantially influenced the Dolphins’ turnaround this season are abundant. In their rematch against the Los Angeles Chargers, who had previously dominated them, limiting Miami to just 219 yards of offense and sacking quarterback Tua Tagovailoa twice in a previous encounter, the Dolphins excelled.
A key discussion leading up to the game revolved around the Dolphins’ ability to withstand pressure from Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa, especially since Lamm filled in for the usual starting left tackle and five-time Pro Bowl selection Terron Armstead.
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In their rematch, Miami amassed 536 yards of offense, highlighted by an impressive 466 passing yards, without surrendering a sack in a thrilling 36-34 victory. Lamm performed brilliantly, earning the 12th-highest pass blocking win rate in the league that week.
During the return flight to South Florida, McDaniel made it a point to check on Lamm, a player who had demonstrated his skill.
«He told me, ‘If you believed I didn’t trust you, you’d be mistaken,'» Lamm recollected. «Of course, I trusted myself, but I vividly recall him approaching me at the back of the plane, where everyone else was resting. I was wide awake, observing everything. I could see the sheer, genuine joy in McDaniel.
«He emphasized that it wasn’t simply about the acknowledgment of my performance; it was about my self-belief; he always believed that I was capable because of my approach leading up to the game.»
«Media often gets caught up in the excitement surrounding the perception of him as the Miami Dolphins head coach. But at his core, Mike is an exceptional person. If I encountered him outside of football, I would enjoy having a deep conversation. You can sense his authenticity, which is rare in our profession; he has that quality.»
‘Feels good that I don’t need to act a certain way’
Tagovailoa’s confidence had waned during his first two NFL seasons, marred by a tenuous relationship with former coach Brian Flores and persistent trade rumors that lingered into McDaniel’s first offseason.
Upon his hiring in February 2022, McDaniel quickly initiated the process of restoring his quarterback’s confidence—starting with an unexpected phone call while Tagovailoa was on the golf course.
Tagovailoa received the call and considered stepping away from the game to converse with his new coach.
However, McDaniel reassured him, saying, «Nah, dude, enjoy yourself. Don’t worry about anything else. Go golf,» Tagovailoa remembered. «It felt nice knowing I didn’t have to conform to a certain image around my head coach.»
When the two finally met in person later that offseason, Tagovailoa was surprised by McDaniel’s preparation—a 700-play highlight reel that showcased the quarterback’s strengths, particularly his accuracy and anticipation as a passer.
Tagovailoa regarded this as a pivotal moment in their relationship.
During their second season together, Tagovailoa led the NFL in passing in 2023, earning a Pro Bowl selection. The subsequent offseason, he inked a four-year, $212.1 million contract extension, marking the richest deal in franchise history.
After signing, Tagovailoa noted that McDaniel had been a strong advocate for him behind the scenes.
Tagovailoa reflected, «I thought, ‘This guy is unique. This is different.'» He had never experienced such support from a head coach before, and it was refreshing to see someone committed to rebuilding his confidence as he had experienced in college.
The Dolphins’ journey during the 2025 season has been a revelation for many players.
After a disheartening first game, linebacker Jordyn Brooks anticipated McDaniel’s reprimand; unexpectedly, the coach provided encouragement instead.
«After that first game, given how we lost, I expected him to criticize us; but he did the opposite,» Brooks said. «He pulled me aside and reassured me that the season is long—we just have to keep believing and pushing forward. He encouraged us to shake off that loss and move on.»
While McDaniel is capable of delivering necessary criticism, his penchant for a positive outlook resonated deeply with Brooks, who has emerged as a team captain leading the NFL in tackles entering Week 15.
«His unwavering positivity, regardless of external criticism aimed at the team or himself, consistently stands out. He is not your traditional head coach. He embraces the current era wholeheartedly,» Brooks remarked.
«His evolving style—evident in his diverse shoe collection—reflects his mood and attitude.»
Cincinnati Bengals’ wide receiver Andrew Hawkins had a notable experience in 2014, signing an offer sheet with the Cleveland Browns, which ultimately led him to leave an AFC North rival.
Although excited to face his former team in Week 10—a prime-time matchup on «Thursday Night Football»—Hawkins was a game-time decision due to a knee injury from the previous week.
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Hawkins attempted to play but couldn’t progress past warm-ups, thanks to McDaniel’s oversight.
«He stopped me and said, ‘Look, I know you want to play, but I have to prioritize your health. This isn’t wise for you,'» Hawkins recounted. «‘He was visibly emotional, stating, ‘I’m truly sorry it has to be this way, but honesty is essential.’ From that moment, I knew I would always respect him.»
Hawkins achieved a career-high of 824 receiving yards that season, crediting McDaniel’s detailed coaching style for his success.
«It’s easy to give your all for him because doing so feels like you’re playing for yourself,» Hawkins expressed. «Mike designs his methodologies to help everyone excel. He tailored his strategies specifically for me, which was a first in my career. I had always been conditioned to conform to someone else’s expectations.»
For 49ers star George Kittle, a six-time Pro Bowl tight end, McDaniel’s influence has been profound. Kittle humorously wished for a contractual clause to prevent teams from poaching his then-offensive coordinator.
But Kittle believes he may not have even reached the league without McDaniel’s support during the draft.
«I might not be here if not for Mike, who strongly advocated for my selection,» Kittle stated. «He passionately pushed for my drafting, insisting they shouldn’t wait when they could choose me in the fourth round. After the San Francisco 49ers called, I later learned Seattle was about to draft me right after.»
A Dolphins insider revealed that McDaniel was pivotal throughout the scouting process, emphasizing that this characteristic of his didn’t just emerge in Miami.
«He’s clever,» Kittle noted. «I was likely their third or fourth choice. After the others were picked, he was willing to make a scene to get me selected. I was grateful for that effort.»
Alec Ingold retrieved a brown index card from his shelf.
On it, he found a quote from motivational speaker Tony Robbins:
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«To guide our lives, we must take command of our consistent actions. It’s not our occasional actions that define us, but rather our persistent behaviors.»
Ingold shared that McDaniel often distributes similar cards, serving as reminders that their careers entail more than just wins and losses.
«He embodies stoicism entirely … and lives by its principles,» Ingold stated. «We often receive reminders like this in team meetings, and those quotations serve a purpose. During challenging times, they help one recognize that life encompasses more than just football.»
Ingold revealed that he and McDaniel have cultivated a personal bond over four seasons, drawing on their shared childhood experiences. Both are biracial, with Ingold raised by his white adoptive family in Wisconsin and McDaniel nurtured by his white mother in Colorado.
Ingold, as one of the Dolphins’ captains, expressed that McDaniel finds innovative methods to relate their stories during their annual phone call focusing on potential offensive adjustments.
«During our calls, he shares personal experiences, connecting them to our stories in a heartfelt manner. This often turns what could be a brief chat into extended discussions that flow for half an hour. His capacity for vulnerability fosters stronger connections,» Ingold explained.
«When an authentic relationship forms, over time you’ll notice the offense thrives, as he possesses true creativity in that realm.»
‘He lives and breathes football’
Arguably the most significant transformation to the Dolphins’ season after starting 1-6 was the decision to position offensive lineman Daniel Brunskill as an eligible receiver during certain plays.
Doing so granted Miami an additional offensive lineman on the field, producing favorable matchups in running scenarios. The team has won five out of its last six games and has excelled, ranking second in the NFL with an average of 166.2 rushing yards per game.
Brunskill praised McDaniel’s dedication, highlighting it as a key factor in the Dolphins’ current four-game winning streak. Even during the early stages of the season when the team’s performance faltered, Brunskill recognized McDaniel’s relentless commitment to reversing their fortunes.
«There are days you don’t realize how hard he works until you’re privy to the behind-the-scenes effort, particularly at the beginning of the season,» he remarked. «You could absolutely sense that he scarcely slept. His dedication is evident; he immersed himself in football around the clock. Post-bye week, he spoke about balancing family duties with football, and then quickly shifted back to focusing on the game.»
«He truly lives and breathes football, and his commitment is unparalleled.»
