The Miami Dolphins resumed their activities on Monday, post Labor Day weekend, with head coach Mike McDaniel making his first media appearance since his recent contract extension, set to keep him with the team until 2028. McDaniel played down the importance of his extended tenure, instead highlighting a recent dinner he had with Dolphins owner Stephen Ross as a particularly memorable experience.
McDaniel emphasized the collective effort required to maintain a successful football program, attributing this achievement to the organization as a whole. “I think there’s a lot of people that lift you up to give you the opportunity to become a head coach,” he remarked, “but once you become a head coach, to sustain that program, it takes each and every person involved.”
He also humorously noted that he made sure to eat all of his steak at the dinner with Ross, joking about the absence of many vegetables on his plate. When questioned if he suspected the dinner might lead to his contract extension, McDaniel indicated he hadn’t foreseen much but saw it as an opportunity to spend some quality time with Ross.
Since his appointment as Dolphins head coach in 2022, McDaniel has maintained a focus on living in the present, a philosophy that shapes his understated reaction to the contract extension. “I really haven’t even thought about it, to be honest,” he admitted. Despite this, McDaniel acknowledged the extension as further motivation to dedicate himself daily to the success of his team and their collective efforts. He concluded by emphasizing his commitment to tackle each day with vigor and devotion, underscoring the ongoing demands and pleasures of his role.