Tua Tagovailoa, the Miami Dolphins quarterback, recently opened up about the stark difference between playing under his former coach, Brian Flores, and his current coach, Mike McDaniel. Tagovailoa has thrived since McDaniel took over, earning a four-year, $212.4 million extension.
In contrast, his experience under Flores was challenging, leading him to doubt his abilities as an NFL quarterback. During an interview on “The Dan LeBatard Show,” Tagovailoa revealed that Flores’ lack of belief in him had a negative impact on his confidence, something McDaniel has worked hard to reverse over the past two seasons.
Tagovailoa described the emotional toll of having a coach who constantly undermines your confidence. He likened it to waking up every day and being told that you’re not good enough, which eventually leads to believing those negative messages.
He noted that this experience wasn’t unique to him but affected other players as well. Since McDaniel’s arrival, the focus has been on rebuilding that lost confidence and helping players reach their full potential.
Tagovailoa’s first two seasons under Flores were tumultuous, marked by uncertainty and rumors of being replaced, including speculation that the Dolphins were interested in trading for quarterback Deshaun Watson.
After Flores was fired in 2021, the Dolphins hired McDaniel, who immediately made an impact by showing belief in Tagovailoa. McDaniel’s approach paid off, as Tagovailoa’s performance significantly improved, culminating in a standout season where he led the NFL in passing yards and earned his first Pro Bowl selection.
Despite the challenges under Flores, Tagovailoa has largely refrained from publicly criticizing his former coach. He expressed gratitude for being drafted by Flores but stopped short of commenting further on their relationship.
The tension between them was evident when the Dolphins faced the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022, where Flores was coaching, and Tagovailoa confirmed he did not speak to him after the game.
McDaniel’s support has been crucial for Tagovailoa, who has flourished with continuity and stability in the Dolphins’ coaching staff for the first time in his career. Meanwhile, Flores has moved on to become the defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings, where his new players reportedly enjoy playing for him.
However, the contrast in coaching styles between McDaniel and Flores highlights the significant impact that a coach’s belief—or lack thereof—can have on a player’s performance and confidence.
