One of many themes of Mike McDaniel’s tenure with the Miami Dolphins has been self-discipline or lack thereof. When McDaniel was first employed, the principle concern coming from the media, particularly former gamers, was if he was a “chief of males” or if he might “command a room filled with alphas?”
My reply to that originally was that he’s carried out it to a sure level and effectively revered by his present and former gamers, however he was by no means going to be that, or should be.
Two kinds of coaches thrive within the NFL. One is the de facto “chief of males,” , the Mike Tomlin, Jim Harbaugh, or Mike Vrabel varieties. Then there’s the “participant’s coach”, the buddy-buddy guys that some issues slide as lengthy they’re profitable. I’m positive which class McDaniel would fall into.
Being a participant’s coach is appropriate and, at instances, extra fascinating from a normal perspective. Gamers wish to play them, followers simply fall for them, they usually’re often beloved across the facility, whether or not it’s every day employees, media members, or executives.
McDaniel, for instance, appeared as if he was the second coming of Don Shula with these shades, the high-powered offense, and the witty jokes throughout media classes.
It’s all enjoyable and gravy till the workforce begins shedding just like the Dolphins did in 2024, and boy, it is likely to be taking a flip for the more severe proper now.
Good Cop, Unhealthy Cop
Heading into the offseason, there are many issues to repair with the Miami Dolphins, however two of essentially the most obvious ones are accountability and self-discipline with the gamers.
Accountability is a giant downside with McDaniel himself and normal supervisor Chris Grier, particularly with their most up-to-date press convention, however we will get into that one other time.
The issue with being a “participant’s coach” is that after they begin shedding, the tires start to fall off the wagon quick.
A room filled with alphas might have a look at the coach as weak and begin to benefit from it by being late to conferences, giving much less effort in observe, and even quitting on the workforce, and we noticed examples of all three all through the season.
McDaniel addressed this difficulty yesterday, saying that they’ve been fining gamers for issues they’ve had internally, but it surely hasn’t labored.
I recognize Mike McDaniel’s honesty in speaking about fines not engaged on gamers for being late, and so forth, however larger query is why is that this occurring 3 years into his time as head coach? That’s a stage of disrespect from gamers that’s powerful to know.
( @MiamiDolphins) pic.twitter.com/SMMAQdxv9V
— Will Manso (@WillManso) January 7, 2025
McDaniel and the Dolphins have recognized and perceive the issue, however what can he do to repair it going ahead?
Can he convert right into a “chief of males,” and begin ruling over the workforce with an iron fist? Can he begin spinning like Jim Carrey in “The Masks” and switch into Invoice Belichick? The reply is not any, and he shouldn’t do this.
If McDaniel tried to now come off because the dangerous cop, it’ll be phony, and gamers would immediately acknowledge that. There are greater than sufficient leaders purchased in to self-police the locker room. The gamers are grown males and may be capable of maintain one another accountable.
For anyone that may nonetheless be an issue in yr 4 of the McDaniel period, like Will Manso factors out, it is likely to be time to both have a come to Jesus assembly, such because the one they simply had with Tyreek Hill, or ship them out. It’s nonetheless to be decided if Hill straightens out or will get traded, however that’s a gathering he wanted and some others might use.
On the finish of the day, you observe the way you play, and the Dolphins had the ninth most penalties within the NFL. That’s known as undisciplined soccer.
The penalties have stalled out extra drives than I can keep in mind and must be cleaned up. It’s not simply the play on the sector, it’s tendencies in observe, in conferences, and the way every part is structured within the facility.
Dolphins breakout star tight finish Jonnu Smith spoke to this not too long ago:
It comes all the way down to accountability, practising what you preach, and finally profitable. Profitable video games treatment every part.
With the way in which the season turned out and the newly added strain of not solely profitable however commanding the respect of all of the gamers will likely be a tricky job and never for the faint of coronary heart.
Is Mike McDaniel the person for the job, or will the Dolphins need to go in a brand new course?
