Tua Tagovailoa teaches us about positive reinforcement in NFL coaching
Miami Dolphinsâ QB Tua Tagovailoa is one of the more fascinating stories the NFL has had recently. After struggling under former Dolphinsâ head coach Brian Flores, Tagovailoa has thrived with coach Mike McDaniel en route to a massive new contract. When speaking with Dan Le Batard show recently, Tagovailoa opened up about the coaching differences between Flores and McDaniel, and what McDaniel does thatâs so empowering to him.
âIf you woke up every morning and I told you that you suck at what you did, that you donât belong, that you shouldnât be here, that you havenât earned thisâŠ
and then someone come and tells you, âYou are the best fit for thisâŠHow you that make you feel?â
– @Tua describes the⊠pic.twitter.com/bBHI6IsVlj
â Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz (@LeBatardShow) August 19, 2024
Tagovailoa played for Flores in two seasons with the Dolphins, and those two seasons were filled with inconsistencies, both on and off the field. From multiple coordinators to the rumors that the Dolphins were interested in adding QB Deshaun Watson, Tua never got the support from the Dolphinsâ coaching staff that he deserved. Now, with McDaniel, he has the entire staff and front office behind him.
Positive reinforcement absolutely works in football. The sport has always been very stuck in the machismo mindset, and something that McDaniel has done with Tua is give him more positivity. Everyone and everything outside of the Dolphinsâ locker room is going to beat him down, but inside that room theyâre going to do everything they can to build him up. Itâs not only good coaching, but great interpersonal communication. People want to work and play for other people that build them up, so McDaniel being this for Tua is great coaching.
