McDaniel to call plays, addresses other issues. Everything notable from news conference
Highlights from new Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel’s introductory news conference on Thursday at Hard Rock Stadium:
▪ Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, who did not take questions, said: “What we want is a team that can win consistently. We were looking to have someone with several qualities - leadership, intelligence, innovation, could really understand what it takes to winning in the long run. Mike has all those qualities. He’s one of the brightest coaches I’ve spoken to. He’s known for innovation on the field.”
Ross said some people called McDaniel a genius.
“When you talk to people about Mike, first thing they’ll say about Mike is he’s innovative and thinks outside the box,” Ross said. “I had coaches in his former division call to tell me how great he is. I asked why are you calling me? They said to get me out of the division.
▪ Ross said McDaniel will report to general manager Chris Grier and Grier will report to Ross.
“Mike reports to Chris who reports to me,” Ross said, adding Grier “will work together with me -- me and [team president] Tom [Garfinkel.]”
Adam Gase reported to Ross, but Brian Flores reported to Grier.
▪ Grier said he, Ross, Garfinkel and team executive Brandon Shore were involved in the coaching search.
Grier said “you would be surprised” the people who called interested in the job.
Grier said Ross was more patient than him in the search. “There were times I was like, let’s go and push this forward. I thank Steve for his patience because I was ready to get it going.”
▪ Grier said “people talk about the energy level” that McDaniel has shown. “He wants to genuinely know who people are and connect with them. That’s what makes him a unique person in terms of getting the best out of people.”
▪ McDaniel said he plans to call plays, something he didn’t do in San Francisco. “If you’re a head coach calling plays, you better be very reliant” on his offensive staff.
He’s looking for an offensive coordinator.
▪ McDaniel said: “I quickly realized this is my dream job and I had to go get it.... I realized this was the place I was meant to be so I better not mess this interview up.”
He said it gives him “goosebumps” to be part of the organization.
▪ McDaniel on the Dolphins’ facilities: “I feel like I’m at an SEC school.”
▪ McDaniel, on what to expect from his team: “Schematically, you are going to see a unique design of everything that is tailored to our players. He said he “wants to create a brand of football that is known as Miami football.” He said the goal is “winning often.”
He said he “tailors” an offense to the strength of his players. He said the Washington staff ran a bunch of zone reads when Washington drafted Robert Griffin III even though the coaches didn’t have experience in that.
He said he adapts “to whatever players’ skills sets all the way to the quarterback.”
▪ McDaniel said “it’s so exciting to come into team of energy and youth and hunger.”
▪ McDaniel, on Ross: “There’s no cost too high for winning for him. The city is lucky to have an owner that all he cares about is winning.”
▪ McDaniel, on Tua Tagovailoa: “I’m not sitting here concerned how good Tua can be. I’m concerned as a collective unit how we can grow together, because that’s what win football games. It’s my job to make sure he has the best chance to showcase his talents.”
▪ How does McDaniel know he’s ready for the job?
He mentioned that 49er coach Kyle Shanahan “really relied on me, allowed me to his right-hand man, and opened my eyes to all the things the head coach does. The key is paying attention... I know I’m prepared for the moment.”
▪ He said he was “nervous” about the Dolphins job interview because I didn’t “major” in that. He said he did “major in connecting with players, teaching them and helping them grow.”
The Dolphins were the only team with whom he interviewed in this cycle.
▪ With Brian Flores’ ongoing lawsuit, were there any red flags taking this job? McDaniel said no.
▪ Asked about how much input he’ll have in personnel decisions (Flores wanted a lot and had a lot), McDaniel said: “As much as I want to talk.... He understands the players we acquire better suit the scheme. He’s not interested in ego or agenda.”
McDaniel said “I couldn’t create an avatar better for my working relationship than Chris Grier. He’s of the same vision in that we want to win football games.”
▪ Regarding players paying attention to him, McDaniel said: “Will he listen? You establish with them early that you can help them with their dream... They will listen to anyone with a pulse that can help them.
“People respond to authenticity. I’ve been working on my personality my entire career. People respect when you are who you are.... I know for a fact it stands the test of time.”
▪ Why is he the person that can lead the franchise to its first playoff win in 21 years? “Why not?”
▪ He cited a “ton of talent” on defense. “Offensively, there’s tools and my job is to help facilitate with all the other coaches and players a product that reflects what the Miami Dolphins are about.”
This story was originally published February 10, 2022 at 10:53 AM.
