Did the Miami Dolphins Hire Ted Lasso?

The last few months, I’ve been thinking a lot about baseball.

Even though I can’t tell you who the star teams or players are these days, I still associate the summer months with baseball.

But when September rolls around and the temperatures begin to drop, my focus moves to football.

Living in the UK means that (American) football does not dominate the sports pages. But fortunately, I have a younger brother who keeps me in the loop.

Last week, he sent me a clip of an interview with the new Miami Dolphins coach. 

After watching the first few minutes, I checked the source.

“Is this guy really a Head Coach in the NFL?” I wondered.

This man was not what I was expecting.

He didn’t look like most NFL coaches I’d seen before. 

He looked small, boyish and… kind of nerdy.

Mike McDaniel on Pat McAfee Show, March 2022

But yes, after working with seven NFL franchises over the last 17 years, Mike McDaniel now has his first gig as a Head Coach in the NFL, with the Miami Dolphins.

Watching him speak, I immediately thought of the TV show The Good Wife – and fictional lawyer Elsbeth Tascioni.

The Good Wife’s masterful lawyer Elsbeth Tascioni (played by Carrie Preston)

Elsbeth Tascioni was a memorable supporting character who occasionally appeared on the show to help solve cases.

Elsbeth was clever – but she did not fit the image most of us associate with a big city lawyer. 

She’s the kind of person an executive would say ‘lacked gravitas’ or the ‘executive presence’ required for leadership roles.

But she was also creative. Funny. And great at her job.

Watching a clip of Mike McDaniel was just like watching Elsbeth. 

McDaniel is a far cry from Patriots Coach Bill Belichick, who he had to face off against in his first game as Head Coach.

(Note, Belichick entered the game with 290 regular season game wins under his belt – McDaniel left the game with his first).

McDaniel’s Miami Dolphins faced Belichick’s New England Patriots

A former history major (at Yale), McDaniel knows he’s different from the image many hold of an NFL coach.

He’s spoken about how that difference saw him dismissed as Head Coaching material earlier in his career.

But perhaps his point of difference is just what the NFL – and the Dolphins – need.

After watching a few clips of McDaniel, I found my curiosity only deepened.

And after I did a bit more digging, I realized that there is a lot more to McDaniel than the goofy clips I first saw.

When McDaniel was interviewed by former NFL player Pat McAfee in March, he was asked about his plans to help the Miami team, and specifically quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

McDaniel began by attempting to sidestep the question with humor. 

“We’re gonna start by scoring more points than the opponent,” McDaniel said.

“Changing the game…through math.”

Focusing on strengths

But then he got more serious, crediting the opportunities he’s had in his career to be around the right teachers, and watching how they empowered their players.

“What things do I see that are really awesome about his game?” he asked, referring to his quarterback’s strengths.

“He’s in the club – where can we take him from there?”

“That’s all I see my job is. I’m a coach. I need to coach him.”

Showing empathy and genuine care

During the conversation he also commented on the pressure today’s players are feeling.

“People need support – especially now,” he said, noting that social media means players have more people constantly weighing in on their performance.

Seeing coaching is a responsibility

He also spoke about the responsibility he feels as coach, noting that for most players, their career in the NFL is limited.

He recognizes that this is their opportunity to earn a livelihood and provide long-term support for their families.

And he knows that playing in the NFL is not just a job, it’s also their dream.

McDaniel clearly understands his responsibility – and takes it seriously.

“I’m going to try to make you as good as you can be,” he offered.

While so many professional coaches seem to emulate the hardass angry war general model that we’ve seen before, McDaniel feels like he’s channeling Ted Lasso.

And though the things I’m noticing from him – empathy, care, and empowerment – aren’t rocket science, they are qualities so many leaders fail to demonstrate.

But they are the qualities that help you connect and bring out the best in your team.

In the locker room after the Dolphins defeated the Patriots 20-7, the camera captured McDaniel’s team showering him in Gatorade, as they smiled and applauded their new coach after his first win.

I thought about that interview with McAfee, when McDaniel was asked how he felt when so many people dismissed him as head coach material.

“Am I going to be mad at people for not expecting uncharted territory?” he asked. “People are playing percentages.”

“I’m not mad at people for not being visionaries.”

“How many times have I heard the whole ‘Can he lead men?’”

“I guess we’ll see.”

I’ll be watching – and based on what I saw today, I’ll be rooting for him.

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Beth Collier loves writing, pop culture, and a good underdog story.

She also loves helping companies, leaders, and teams improve their communication (and creativity and leadership) through consulting, coaching, and workshops.

Her clients benefit from Beth’s global corporate experience, Midwestern practicality and enthusiasm, and an endless supply of pop culture references.

To find out how Beth can help you become a more confident, creative, and compelling leader – or improve communication in your company – visit www.beth-collier.com or drop her a line at beth@beth-collier.com