The Miami Dolphins made the NFL playoffs in Mike McDaniel’s first two seasons as coach, but the team lost in the wild-card round both times, which became the starting point for McDaniel’s offseason tactics to motivate his staff and players.
The Dolphins last won a playoff game 24 years ago, and one of the ways McDaniel reminds his team of that is by scheduling meetings at the 24th minute of a specific time — so instead of the staff meeting at 5:30, they meet at 5:24, etc.
In McDaniel’s opinion, Dolphins players and coaching staff will hear the number 24 a lot, especially as the postseason approaches, so it’s best to get used to it now.
“Half of the offseason, we’ve been trying to have our staff meetings at different times of the day. Every staff meeting has been at 7:24 or 3:24 or 5:24 or the number 24,” McDaniel told reporters on Thursday, the final day of minicamp.
Mike McDaniel is so obsessed with achieving success, he schedules his offseason staff meetings to start at 24 minutes past the hour (7:24 a.m., 3:24 p.m., etc.) and constantly reminds everyone that this is Miami’s first playoff win in 24 years.
He wants this just as much as we do! pic.twitter.com/jeHqxDcn7Y
— King of Finland🐬👑 (@KingOfPhinland) June 6, 2024
“It’s been years since the team has had a playoff win,” he added. “You’re going to hear about that come playoff time. Do you think?”
Cornerback Cam Smith currently wears the No. 24 for the Dolphins, so don’t be surprised if news breaks that Smith will be getting some attention from McDaniels and the coaching staff during the upcoming season.
Great Wild Card Week Performance: Dec. 30, 2000, RB Lamar Smith ran for 209 yards and two TDs, including the overtime win, to beat the Colts 23-17. pic.twitter.com/DOmRzFc7v6
— Dolphins History (@DolphinsHistory) January 14, 2023
The last time the Dolphins won a playoff game was in 2000, in a 23-17 win over the Indianapolis Colts in the wild-card round. Jay Fielder was Miami’s quarterback and was intercepted three times, but Lamar Smith rushed for 209 yards and two scores. The team was coached by Dave Wannstedt and featured Peyton Manning, Edgar Lin James and Marvin Harrison Sr. So yeah, it’s been a while.
Last season, Miami lost 26-7 to the Kansas City Chiefs in the wild-card round, and the year before that the Dolphins lost 34-31 to the Buffalo Bills in the wild-card round, but McDaniel doesn’t think there’s any consolation in losing to an eventual Super Bowl champion, or by just three points.
Those early playoff losses were especially painful because the Dolphins started last season as arguably the best team in the AFC. They gave up 70 points to the Denver Broncos and won five of their first six games. But Miami lost their final two games (and three of their final five), including a 56-19 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. So McDaniel’s theme for the Dolphins in 2024-25 is to go strong until the end.
It’s unclear if the coach plans to install clocks with the opening credits or countdown to the TV series “24” throughout the Dolphins’ training facility.
