An assistant with the San Francisco 49ers from 2017-2021, McDaniel was hired by the Dolphins after one year as the Niners’ offensive coordinator.
McDaniel replaced defensive-minded Brian Flores and was full of positive energy when he joined Miami, bringing a softer, more optimistic approach. It seemed like a good fit, especially with Tagovailoa as the tournament looked to push the Finns forward.
The Dolphins went 9-8 in 2022, finishing sixth in the league in yards and 11th in points on their way to the club’s first playoff berth since 2016.
In Year 2 of the McDaniel experience, the Dolphins were an offensive force, leading the league in yards and finishing second in points, culminating in a 70-20 Week 3 demolition of the Denver Broncos. However, for the second year in a row, the Dolphins bounced in the first round of the playoffs on the road in cold conditions – 2023 at the Buffalo Bills and 2024 at the Kansas City Chiefs.
McDaniel’s crew had built a reputation as fair-weather leaders. When the weather was sunny and the speedy Dolphins came out fast, everything was fine, but the game when it mattered most was their kryptonite.
In the 2024 season, the action fell apart as the offense fell to 22nd and Miami went 3-6 on the road.
A young 38-years-old when he was signed to the Dolphins in February of 2022, McDaniel is still only 42, but of late he seemed to be getting older by the day. As the struggles began to mount in Miami, it seemed McDaniel’s brand was deflated by the loss.
A branch of the Kyle Shanahan coaching tree, McDaniel catching on elsewhere in the recruiting cycle wouldn’t be a surprise at all.
As for the Dolphins, 2026 promises a new-look squad, with likely a new QB, and certainly a new GM and head coach.