Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa reveals how former coach Brian Flores’ criticism affected his confidence, contrasting it with his current coach’s support.
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has opened up about the impact his former head coach, Brian Flores, had on his early NFL career. In a candid interview with Dan Le Batard of Meadowlark Media, Tagovailoa shared how Flores’ harsh criticism made him question his own abilities and whether he belonged in the league.
Tagovailoa, who was drafted fifth overall by the Dolphins in 2020, recalled how Flores’ constant negative feedback affected his mindset. “Well, to put it in simplest terms, if you woke up every morning and I told you you suck at what you did, you don’t belong doing what you do, that you shouldn’t be here, that this guy should be here, that you haven’t earned this right, and then you have somebody else come in and tell you, you are the best fit for this, you are accurate, you are the best whatever, how would it make you feel listening to one or the other?” Tagovailoa explained.
“Regardless of what it is, the good or the bad, you hear it more and more, you start to actually believe it.” – Tua Tagovailoa
He went on to discuss how the repeated criticism from Flores began to take a toll on his confidence. “Regardless of what it is, the good or the bad, you hear it more and more, you start to actually believe it. I don’t care who you are, you could be the president of the United States. If you have a terrible person telling you things you don’t want to hear or probably shouldn’t be hearing, you start to believe that about yourself. That’s sort of like what ended up happening. It’s basically been like two years of training that out of me.”
During Tagovailoa’s first two seasons under Flores, he experienced several ups and downs. Despite posting a 13-8 record with 27 touchdowns and 15 interceptions, Tagovailoa often found himself benched in favor of veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. The Dolphins, under Flores and Tagovailoa, failed to make the playoffs in those two seasons, leaving doubts about Tagovailoa’s future as the team’s starting quarterback.
However, things began to change when Mike McDaniel took over as head coach in 2023. Under McDaniel’s guidance, Tagovailoa’s performance has significantly improved. In the past two seasons, Tagovailoa has thrown for 54 touchdowns and 22 interceptions, leading the Dolphins to back-to-back playoff appearances with a 19-11 record. In 2023, Tagovailoa played in all 17 games for the first time, showing the growth and resilience he developed after overcoming the challenges of his early career.
The contrast between Flores and McDaniel’s coaching styles has been a significant factor in Tagovailoa’s development. While Flores, now the defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings, is known for his tough, no-nonsense approach, McDaniel has been praised for his supportive and player-friendly style. This difference in approach has clearly had an impact on Tagovailoa, who has thrived under McDaniel’s leadership.
Flores, who filed a lawsuit against the NFL, the Dolphins, the Denver Broncos, and the New York Giants in 2022, alleging racial discrimination in their hiring practices, as well as accusing Dolphins owner Stephen Ross of pressuring him to lose games on purpose, has faced his own share of challenges since leaving Miami.
Meanwhile, McDaniel has continued to build on his success with the Dolphins, posting a 20-14 record in his two seasons as head coach. His ability to restore confidence in Tagovailoa has been a key element in the team’s resurgence and their push to become a consistent playoff contender
Tagovailoa’s story is a testament to the importance of confidence and belief in a player’s development. As he continues to grow under McDaniel’s guidance, Dolphins fans are hopeful that Tua’s best days are still ahead.
