The Dolphins’ coaching search could be coming to an end soon. Miami is down to two finalists in their head coaching search. These two finalists are 49ers’ offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel and Cowboys’ offensive Coordinator Kellen Moore. Both coaches respectfully led their teams to the Playoffs in 2021 with Moore leading the Cowboys to the Wild Card Round and McDaniel’s leading the 49ers to the NFC Championship Game. McDaniel seems to be the odds-on favorite to get the job, as the Dolphins were very impressed with him, and Miami could hire him within a week.
When did McDaniel begin his NFL Coaching Career?
McDaniel began his coaching career in the NFL in 2005 where he worked as an intern for the Denver Broncos. After the Broncos, he was hired by the Houston Texans as an offensive assistant from 2006 to 2008. In 2009 and 2010, he spent some time away from the NFL working in the United Football League.
After his role in the UFL, he would then go back to the NFL, as he took a job with The Washington Football Team for three years. He was first hired as an offensive assistant and then got promoted to a wide receivers coach. He would then take jobs with the Browns and Falcons as a wide receivers coach before heading to the San Francisco 49ers.
McDaniel with the 49ers
McDaniel has been in San Francisco for five seasons. He spent four seasons as a run game specialist and coordinator before becoming an offensive coordinator in January of 2021. As offensive coordinator, he led the 49ers to a 10-7 regular season and made the playoffs. He coached one of the best receivers in the NFL this year in Deebo Samuel. The 49ers receiver had 1,405 yards and six touchdowns in 2021. He also had over 300 yards on the ground as McDaniel loved to use him him in the rushing attack as well.
The San Francisco offense finished 12th in passing yards per game with 236 yards per game. The 49ers offense also finished the season ranked seventh In rushing yards per game with 126 yards per game.
Is McDaniel a good fit for the Miami Dolphins?
Miami has a star receiver in Jalen Waddle who has just finished his first year in the NFL. McDaniel is known for being a wide receivers coach earlier in his career as mentioned above. He has worked with many great receivers such as Julio Jones in Atlanta. McDaniel can also help Waddle get to that same elite level if the Dolphins hire him.
He can also find a way to get the Dolphins rushing attack back on track. The Dolphins ranked close to last in the NFL with 92.2 rushing yards a game. McDaniel is known for having a heavy rushing attack in San Francisco where he utilized both running backs and receivers to attack defenses on the ground. It is possible that he could use that same premise in Miami but with Waddle and not Samuel. This would be McDaniel’s first head coaching job.
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