Mike McDaniel

Last updated

Mike McDaniel
Mike McDaniel Aug 2015.jpg
McDaniel in 2015
Miami Dolphins
Position: Head coach
Personal information
Born: (1983-03-06) March 6, 1983 (age 41)
Aurora, Colorado, U.S.
Height:5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight:180 lb (82 kg)
Career information
High school: Smoky Hill (Aurora, Colorado)
College: Yale (2001–2004)
Career history
As a coach:
Head coaching record
Regular season:20–14 (.588)
Postseason:0–2 (.000)
Career:20–16 (.556)
Coaching stats at PFR

Michael Lee McDaniel (born March 6, 1983) is an American football coach who is the head coach for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). A former long-time assistant and descendant of the Shanahan coaching tree, McDaniel began his NFL coaching career as an intern for the Denver Broncos in 2005. McDaniel served as an assistant coach for the Houston Texans, Washington Redskins, Cleveland Browns, Atlanta Falcons, and San Francisco 49ers from 2017 to 2021, holding his first offensive coordinator position in 2021. McDaniel has appeared in Super Bowl LI with the Falcons in 2017, and Super Bowl LIV with the 49ers in 2020 as an assistant coach alongside Kyle Shanahan.

Contents

McDaniel spent five seasons with the 49ers, mostly as the run game coordinator. His tenure concluded with their second NFC Championship Game appearance in three seasons; McDaniel served as the offensive coordinator the season before he left to become the Dolphins' head coach.

Early life and playing career

McDaniel was born in Aurora, Colorado, in 1983. He graduated from Smoky Hill High School in 2001. [1] He played college football as a wide receiver at Yale, where he graduated with a degree in history. [2] [3]

Coaching career

Denver Broncos

McDaniel was hired in 2005 at the age of 22 by his hometown Denver Broncos as a coaching intern under head coach Mike Shanahan. [4] The Broncos in 2005 finished with what was at the time their best record since John Elway's retirement six years earlier, at 13–3. In the postseason, they defeated the defending back-to-back Super Bowl champion New England Patriots 27–13 in the Divisional Round before falling to the eventual Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers 34–17 in the AFC Championship Game. [5]

Houston Texans

In 2006, McDaniel was hired by the Houston Texans as an offensive assistant under head coach Gary Kubiak, whom McDaniel worked alongside at the Denver Broncos a season earlier. [6] During his tenure in Houston, McDaniel assisted three different offensive coordinators and future head coaches; Troy Calhoun, Mike Sherman, and Kyle Shanahan.

California Redwoods / Sacramento Mountain Lions

In 2009, McDaniel was hired by the California Redwoods, a team from the now-defunct United Football League as a running backs coach under former Minnesota Vikings and Arizona Cardinals head coach Dennis Green. [7] In McDaniel's second year, the team relocated to Sacramento and was renamed the Sacramento Mountain Lions.

Washington Redskins

In 2011, McDaniel was hired by the Washington Redskins as an offensive assistant, reuniting with Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan, who was McDaniel's mentor six seasons earlier on the Denver Broncos. [8] It was there where McDaniel worked alongside three other future head coaches: Kyle Shanahan, Sean McVay, and Matt LaFleur. In 2013, McDaniel was promoted to wide receivers coach following the departure of Ike Hilliard, who left to join the Buffalo Bills in the same position. [9] McDaniel would not be retained under new head coach Jay Gruden.

Cleveland Browns

McDaniel was hired in 2014 by the Cleveland Browns as their wide receivers coach under new head coach Mike Pettine. [10]

Atlanta Falcons

McDaniel was hired by the Atlanta Falcons as an offensive assistant coach under new head coach Dan Quinn in 2015. [11]

San Francisco 49ers

In 2017, McDaniel was hired by the San Francisco 49ers as their run game coordinator under his long-time associate and new head coach Kyle Shanahan, whom he worked alongside for a total of nine seasons on the Texans, Redskins, Browns, and Falcons. [12] [13] During the 2019 season, McDaniel and the Niners appeared in Super Bowl LIV, where they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 31–20. [14] On January 18, 2021, McDaniel was promoted to offensive coordinator, following the departure of passing game coordinator Mike LaFleur, who left to become the offensive coordinator for the New York Jets. [15]

Miami Dolphins

2022 season

The Miami Dolphins hired McDaniel as their fourteenth head coach on February 6, 2022. [16] On September 11, 2022, McDaniel made his regular season head coaching debut against the New England Patriots and led the Dolphins to a 20–7 victory, marking McDaniel's first victory as a head coach. [17] McDaniel became the first Dolphins head coach since Nick Saban in 2005 to win his first game as Miami's head coach, and the first in franchise history to win a season opener as a rookie head coach. [18] McDaniel also helped the Dolphins defeat the Bills for the first time since the 2018 season. [19]

McDaniel led the Dolphins to a 9–8 record, giving Miami their first playoff berth since 2016. [20] [21] The Dolphins fell to the Bills 34–31 despite a late rally in the fourth quarter of the Wild Card Round. [22]

2023 season

McDaniel led the Dolphins to a historic 70–20 victory over the Denver Broncos in Week 3 of the 2023 season, the first time a team scored 70 or more points in the Super Bowl era. [23] The team recorded an NFL-record 726 offensive yards, the first to record 700 or more yards since 1951. [24]

Personal life

McDaniel is biracial. His mother is white and his father is black. [25] McDaniel grew up close friends with comedian Dan Soder in Aurora, Colorado. [26] McDaniel's relationship to the NFL began when, as a child seeking autographs at the Broncos' training camp at the University of Northern Colorado, he lost his Charlotte Hornets ball cap. After Broncos staffer Gary McCune bought him a replacement, McCune met and married McDaniel's mother. [27]

McDaniel has spoken of struggles with alcohol dependency and depression during his adult life. He has been sober since 2016. [28]

McDaniel and his wife Katie have one daughter. [29]

Head coaching record

TeamYearRegular seasonPostseason
WonLostTiesWin %FinishWonLostWin %Result
MIA 2022 980.5292nd in AFC East01.000Lost to Buffalo Bills in AFC Wild Card Game
MIA 2023 1160.6472nd in AFC East01.000Lost to Kansas City Chiefs in AFC Wild Card Game
Total 20140.58802.000

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Shanahan</span> American football coach (born 1952)

Michael Edward Shanahan is an American football coach serving as an offensive consultant to the New York Jets, best known as the head coach of the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL) from 1995 to 2008. During his fourteen seasons with the Broncos, he led the team to two consecutive Super Bowl victories in XXXII and XXXIII; along with being the first Super Bowl championships in team history, they were the seventh team to win consecutive Super Bowls in NFL history. His head coaching career spanned a total of twenty seasons and also included stints with the Los Angeles Raiders and Washington Redskins. He is the father of San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dan Reeves</span> American football player and coach (1944–2022)

Daniel Edward Reeves was an American professional football running back and coach in the National Football League (NFL). During his 38 years in the NFL, Reeves participated in nine Super Bowls, the third most for an individual. He was a head coach for 23 seasons, a position he held with the Denver Broncos from 1981 to 1992, the New York Giants from 1993 to 1996, and the Atlanta Falcons from 1997 to 2003. As a player, he spent his eight-season career with the Dallas Cowboys, who signed him as an undrafted free agent in 1965.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Nolan</span> American football coach (born 1959)

Michael Tullis Nolan is an American football coach who is the head coach for the Michigan Panthers of the United Football League (UFL). Nolan previously served as a head coach for the San Francisco 49ers, and a defensive coordinator for the National Football League (NFL)'s Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, Washington Redskins, New York Giants, Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, Atlanta Falcons, and Dallas Cowboys. Nolan is a former linebackers coach for the Denver Broncos, San Diego Chargers, and New Orleans Saints.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gary Kubiak</span> American football player and coach (born 1961)

Gary Wayne Kubiak is an American former professional football player and coach in the National Football League (NFL). He played as a quarterback for the Denver Broncos before coaching, serving as head coach for the Houston Texans from 2006 to 2013 and the Broncos from 2015 to 2016 before stepping down from the position on January 1, 2017, citing health reasons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Josh McDaniels</span> American football coach

Joshua Thomas McDaniels is an American football coach in the National Football League (NFL). He began his NFL career in 2001 with the New England Patriots, where he served as the offensive coordinator for 14 non-consecutive seasons. During McDaniels' first stint as offensive coordinator from 2006 to 2008, New England set the season record for points scored and won 16 of their 16 regular season games in 2007. In his second stint from 2012 to 2021, the Patriots won three Super Bowl titles. McDaniels was also among the Patriots personnel to be present for all six of their titles during the Brady–Belichick era.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kyle Shanahan</span> American football coach (born 1979)

Kyle Michael Shanahan is an American football coach who is the head coach for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He came to prominence as the offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons, whose offense in 2016 led the league in points scored and helped the team reach Super Bowl LI. Shanahan became the head coach of the 49ers the following season, whom he has led to three division titles, four postseason appearances, four NFC Championship Game appearances, and two Super Bowl appearances.

Robert Turner Jr. is an American football coach who is the running backs coach for the San Francisco 49ers. Since 1995, he has worked exclusively on the staffs of Mike Shanahan during his time with the Denver Broncos and Washington Redskins and then his son Kyle with the Atlanta Falcons and San Francisco 49ers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greg Knapp</span> American football coach (1963–2021)

Gregory Fishbeck Knapp was an American professional football coach in the National Football League (NFL). He served as an assistant coach for 25 seasons with the New York Jets, Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, Houston Texans, Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers. He played college football and later coached at California State University, Sacramento.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthony Lynn</span> American football player and coach (born 1968)

Anthony Ray Lynn is an American football coach and former running back who is the run game coordinator and running backs coach for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He previously played in the NFL for six seasons, primarily with the Denver Broncos. Used in a reserve role, Lynn was a member of the Broncos teams that won Super Bowl XXXII and XXXIII. He retired as a player in 2000 and entered coaching, later serving as head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers from 2017 to 2020.


Joseph Anthony Philbin is a senior offensive assistant for the Las Vegas Raiders. He served as the offensive line coach for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He was the head coach of the Miami Dolphins, a position he held from 2012 to 2015. Philbin was also the offensive coordinator of the Green Bay Packers from 2007 to 2011, helping them win Super Bowl XLV over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Most recently, Philbin served as interim head coach of the Packers for the final four games of the 2018 season after serving as the offensive coordinator for the first part of the season.

Sherman Smith is a former professional American football running back who played eight seasons for the Seattle Seahawks and San Diego Chargers between 1976 and 1983. He was also the running backs coach for the Seahawks, as well as the former offensive coordinator for the Washington Redskins. After his playing days were over, he embarked upon a second career as a football coach, starting at Redmond Jr. high school, then college, and finally back in the National Football League (NFL) with the Houston Oilers / Tennessee Titans, the Redskins, and the Seahawks.

Eric Studesville is an American football coach who is the associate head coach and running backs coach for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). Studesville is known as the former run game coordinator for the Buffalo Bills and interim head coach of the Denver Broncos, a position he held for four weeks in December 2010. He replaced Josh McDaniels after 12 games in the 2010 NFL season, after which he resumed his primary role as running backs coach under head coaches John Fox, Gary Kubiak, and Vance Joseph from 2011–2017. He was the first African American head coach in Broncos history, albeit on an interim basis. Studesville has been to the Super Bowl twice, both as a member of the Broncos personnel, losing in 2014 and winning in 2016.

Brian Francisco Flores is an American football coach who is the defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He began his NFL career with the New England Patriots, where he served as an assistant coach from 2008 to 2018. Flores was New England's defensive playcaller during his final season coaching for the team, which concluded with a victory in Super Bowl LIII. Following the victory, he served as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins from 2019 to 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frank Bush</span> American football player and coach (born 1963)

Frank Bush is a former American football linebacker and coach who is the linebackers coach for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Houston Oilers in the fifth round of the 1985 NFL Draft. He played college football at North Carolina State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vic Fangio</span> American football coach

Victor Mick Fangio is an American football coach who serves as the defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). Fangio also recently served as the head coach of the Denver Broncos. A 41-year coaching veteran with 33 seasons of NFL experience, Fangio was a defensive coordinator for 20 of the last 24 seasons at the NFL or college level before becoming the Broncos' head coach. He served as the Chicago Bears' defensive coordinator after leading the defenses for the San Francisco 49ers, Stanford University, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts and Carolina Panthers.

Christopher Flyn Foerster is an American football coach who is the run game coordinator and offensive line coach for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). Previously, he worked for the Dolphins as their offensive coordinator in 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dan Quinn (American football)</span> American football coach (born 1970)

Daniel Patrick Quinn is an American football coach who is the head coach of the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). Born in New Jersey, he attended Salisbury University and competed in the hammer throw and as a defensive lineman for their football team in the early 1990s. Quinn later coached defensive lines in college prior to joining the NFL in 2001. He was the defensive coordinator of the Legion of Boom-era Seattle Seahawks that appeared in two consecutive Super Bowls and won XLVIII.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adam Gase</span> American football coach (born 1978)

Adam Joseph Gase is a former American football coach in the National Football League (NFL). He came to prominence as the offensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos from 2013 to 2014, whose offense set the NFL record for points scored in 2013 and helped the team reach Super Bowl XLVIII. Following this success, Gase served as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins from 2016 to 2018 and the New York Jets from 2019 to 2020.

Richard Hightower is an American football coach currently serving as special teams coordinator of the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sean McVay effect</span> Trend in NFL coaching hiring

The Sean McVay effect is a term used to describe a trend beginning in 2018 regarding the hiring practices of National Football League (NFL) teams towards employing young head coaches that specialized in offensive strategy, but would later be expanded to describe the trend of hiring young head coaches in general. The phrase originates from Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay, who when hired at 30 years old in 2017, became the youngest NFL head coach in the Super Bowl era (1966–present). McVay rapidly changed the culture of the organization and turned the Rams into the league's highest-scoring offense, resulting in the team becoming perennial title contenders and eventual champions in Super Bowl LVI. In light of McVay's quick success, NFL teams increasingly began to hire relatively younger head coaches.

References

  1. ↑ Sickafoose, Quinten (February 6, 2022). "Smoky Hill grad Mike McDaniel hired as Dolphins head coach". 9news.com. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  2. ↑ Conn, Steve (February 7, 2022). "McDaniel '05 Named Head Coach of the Miami Dolphins". Yale Bulldogs. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  3. ↑ "McDaniel '05 Promoted to 49ers Offensive Coordinator". Yale Bulldogs. January 22, 2021. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  4. ↑ Klis, Mike (March 3, 2022). "Mike Shanahan's 2005 Broncos had great impact on new Dolphins' coach Mike McDaniel". KUSA.com. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  5. ↑ "2005 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  6. ↑ Dubow, Josh (February 7, 2022). "Dolphins hire ex-Texans assistant Mike McDaniel as head coach". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  7. ↑ O'Halloran, Ryan (January 11, 2023). "Mike McDaniel leans on 'walks of life' experiences to lead Dolphins". Buffalo News. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  8. ↑ Pompei, Dan (August 8, 2022). "Why new Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel is 'not like any other head coach I've worked with'". The Athletic. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  9. ↑ Motley III, King W. (February 7, 2022). "Mike McDaniel is now fourth head coach from Washington's notorious staff". Yardbarker. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  10. ↑ "Meet wide receivers coach Mike McDaniel". Cleveland Browns. August 13, 2014. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  11. ↑ Pelissero, Tom (February 2, 2017). "Falcons' brotherhood helped assistant Mike McDaniel through alcohol issue". USA TODAY. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  12. ↑ Madson, Kyle (February 6, 2022). "Dolphins hire 49ers OC Mike McDaniel as head coach, 49ers get 2 3rd-round picks". Niners Wire. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  13. ↑ Cannizzaro, Mark (December 4, 2022). "Dolphins' offensive scheme will look familiar to 49ers in showdown". New York Post. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  14. ↑ "Super Bowl LIV - San Francisco 49ers vs. Kansas City Chiefs - February 2nd, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  15. ↑ "49ers Announce Coaching Promotions". 49ers.com. January 18, 2021. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  16. ↑ @MiamiDolphins (February 6, 2022). "We have agreed to terms with Mike McDaniel. Welcome to Miami, Coach!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  17. ↑ Neville, Scott (September 11, 2022). "How Mike McDaniel Reacted To First Win Coming Against Bill Belichick". NESN.com. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  18. ↑ Miller, Brian (September 11, 2022). "Mike McDaniel is first Dolphins HC to notch debut win since Saban". FanSided.com. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  19. ↑ "All Matchups, Miami Dolphins vs. Buffalo Bills". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  20. ↑ "2022 Miami Dolphins Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  21. ↑ Louis-Jacques, Marcel (January 8, 2023). "Dolphins hang on, earn 1st playoff spot since '16". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  22. ↑ "Wild Card - Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills - January 15th, 2023". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  23. ↑ Furones, David (September 24, 2023). "70 points! Dolphins set multiple franchise records in dominant 70-20 win over Broncos". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  24. ↑ Kerr, Jeff (September 24, 2023). "Dolphins score 70 points in rout of Broncos, record most yards ever in game in NFL history". CBSSports.com. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  25. ↑ Maiocco, Matt (March 3, 2021). "Why football is more than just a sport to 49ers OC McDaniel". RSN. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
  26. ↑ Shooshtry, Safa (February 2, 2021). "SF 49ers: 3 things to know about new OC Mike McDaniel". Niner Noise. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  27. ↑ Gange, Scotty (February 11, 2022). "Colorado's Mike McDaniel: How the drop of a hat in Greeley led to becoming the Dolphins' head coach". 9NEWS. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  28. ↑ Dan, Pompei (August 8, 2022). "Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel: Particular, present, putting it all out there". theathletic.com. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
  29. ↑ Schad, Joe (February 10, 2022). "Schad: In Mike McDaniel, Dolphins clearly hired a unique person and coach". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.