Miami Dolphins’ head coach, Mike McDaniel, has a unique approach to motivating his team and staff. He schedules meetings at the 24th minute of every hour as a reminder of the franchise’s 24-year wait for a playoff victory.
The Dolphins haven’t tasted playoff success since 2000, with only six appearances in the playoffs since the start of the new millennium. McDaniel – and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa – are determined to break this losing streak in the 2024 season, revealing his motivational tactics.
“What can we learn from all of this and how do we adjust what we do now to hedge our bet? … You get what you emphasize,” McDaniel stated.
“Well, why not find ways to emphasize finishing in everything you do? Obsess about it. Why not have for half the offseason, you’re trying to have staff meetings at different times during the day. I had every staff meeting I put at like 7:24 or 3:24 or 5:24 — the number 24.
“To you guys, it means nothing. That’s how many years it’s been since the organisation has won a playoff game. We are going to hear about that come playoff time. You think? So to me, you do that to empower guys to know what’s coming. To understand it, to not run from it. Because if you’re going to achieve success where people are predicting failure, you’re going to have to go above and beyond.”
The Dolphins ended the previous season with an 11-6 record, which led to a wild card showdown with the reigning champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, at a frozen Arrowhead. They were defeated and the Chiefs went on to defend their title with a Super Bowl LVIII victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Las Vegas.
A repeat season of reaching the playoffs will mark a third consecutive campaign in reaching the postseason. McDaniel isn’t interested in running away from any negativity as they chase an elusive win
“You know what’s going to be said to you by your friends, or some media members come next December, let’s talk about it now,” he continued. “Yes, that’s not what you want said about [your team] — you don’t want [it] to be said, ‘You can’t finish. You can’t do that. You don’t want to hear that, but whatever.
“What if you heard you could? Does it change anything? Let’s go attack it and let’s go achieve something together. That’s the reason why I bring it up, just because I know no matter how much I tell people to not listen, it’s impossible not to hear the noise coming.
“There’s always going to be noise. Whatever, just address it and let’s do our jobs deliberately and with a mindfulness today that can be applied in the future.”
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