Dolphins play reflects personality of HC Mike McDaniel
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel is as genuine as they come. A personable leader who is candid and extremely comfortable in his own skin. McDaniel, a Yale history major graduate, has somehow found a way to relate to everyone – fans, players, media – in a grounded way not often seen inside a sport that is known for its physical brutality and macho bravado.
McDaniel, who is in his second full season with the Dolphins, is essentially a hip football nerd with a wildly entertaining streak. At halftime of the Dolphins Week 2 victory on the road against the New England Patriots, McDaniel hilariously raced the camera crew.
He's just a different cat and that type of energy has radiated to his players. The Dolphins style of play is a product of their coach's personality. There is nothing overly flashy about how they go about their business. The Dolphins brand of football is down-to-earth, clean and fun to watch.
After their Week 1 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, former National Football League quarterback Chris Simms said that the Dolphins are the most fun team to watch in the league.
McDaniel has garnered praise for his astute, in-game innovations and has designed the offense to get the best possible version of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
"Mike McDaniel, he’s as creative as it gets," Simms said, as per NBC Sports Group Press Box. "If you let him (get) in a rhythm – Tua (Tagovailoa) knows what (defense) you’re in every play — forget it. You’re not going to stop them."
Tagovailoa, who led the league in passer rating last season and throws the most accurate ball with the quickest release in the NFL, exhibits every positive McDaniel trait on the field. So far this season, no moment has been too big for Tagovailoa and he seems to deflect any negativity directed at him with ease.
"You shouldn't stand on entitlement of previous plays if they were good, or you shouldn't shame yourself if you didn't like the result," McDaniel said, as per ESPN's Marcel Louis-Jacques. "That mental fortitude, that strong mindedness is something that not many people have, but Tua is wired that way, which gives him a chance to succeed."
McDaniel is also a successful at making things light. He's deliberately honest with reporters and has joked about everything from training himself to make more time for showering to "Youtubing" Tagovailoa when he has a bout of insomnia to not trying to hide any money, because he spent most of his life poor.
When your coach is literally in your ear all game with that kind of disposition, it should come as no surprise that Tagovailoa, the leader of this team on the field, would become a reflection of McDaniel in every which way.
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