Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel showed some rare emotion in the first half of his team's TNF game against the Baltimore Ravens after a controversial penalty call
22:40 ET, 30 Oct 2025
Mike McDaniel
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Mike McDaniel has been with the Dolphins since 2022(Image: Getty Images)
Under-pressure Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel generally stays even-keeled on his team's sideline. Against the returning Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday night, he was anything but that.
The 2-6 Dolphins were trailing 14-3 early in the second quarter but were driving against a banged-up Ravens defense. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa completed a 36-yard strike to Jaylen Waddle to put the Dolphins offense at the Ravens' seven-yard line.
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However, running back Ollie Gordon — a training-camp surprise — was dinged for a tripping penalty after falling and knocking over a Baltimore defense while in pass protection. Both Gordon and McDaniel could hardly believe the call.
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McDaniel ripped off his headset and slammed it on the ground in disgust, showing character out of the ordinary from a mostly moribund season. Miami's drive stalled after the 15-yard penalty and was forced to punt.
Fans in the comments found some humor in his reaction. "Looks like the IT guy at work when you call them directly instead of submitting a service ticket first," one wrote.
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"Charlie Brown is angry… lol," another said. "Someone took his vape," a different fan tweeted. "He's acting like thy got his order wrong at McDonald's," one more posted.
McDaniel, 42, was named the Dolphins' head coach in 2022 after a successful stint as the offensive coordinator for Kyle Shanahan's San Francisco 49ers.
Stephen Ross
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Dolphins owner Stephen Ross is unlikely to make a sweeping change without due cause(Image: Getty Images)
Miami reached the playoffs in each of his first seasons — losing in the Wild Card rounds each time — before slumping to an 8-9 record last year. The Dolphins entered the contest against Baltimore 2-6.
After a blowout loss to the Cleveland Browns in Week 7, McDanile spoke about his job security. "The way I look at this job is I find it very offensive to all parties involved if I'm thinking about having a job -- I need to be doing my job," he said.
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As long as I'm the coach for the Miami Dolphins, they will get everything from me. I refuse to spend my time thinking about [my job security] -- you have your job, you do your job and you do it to the best of your ability, and that's where my concern lies."
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Owner Steven Ross seemed tepid about the notion of a large-scale midseason change. "I think we make small changes, but you don't change the whole thing," he said.
"It's just a situation where you don't overthink it. We've got a good team. I feel like we got good coaches. We calling good plays, we've just got to execute. ... Once the coaches eliminate bad plays and the players eliminate bad plays, then I think it'll be a lot better."