Will the 49ers and former Miami Dolphins head coach have a reunion in the future?
The NFL’s annual coaching reset didn’t stop on Black Monday, and by Thursday, another notable domino had fallen. The Miami Dolphins moved on from head coach Mike McDaniel after a 7–10 season that never recovered from a disastrous 1–6 start.
Almost immediately, the reaction around the league followed a predictable path. Any time a coach with deep Kyle Shanahan ties becomes available, the San Francisco 49ers conversation isn’t far behind.
McDaniel’s run in Miami ended almost as quickly as it began.
Tasked with stabilizing a franchise still searching for long-term answers at quarterback, McDaniel inherited Tua Tagovailoa early in his head-coaching career.
Miami’s commitment to that direction ultimately became a defining factor in his downfall, as the offense failed to make consistent progress and the losses piled up.
In today’s NFL, patience is rare, and McDaniel became another reminder of how thin the margin for error is.
What makes this firing particularly interesting is McDaniel’s long-standing connection to Shanahan and the 49ers organization.
Their professional relationship spans multiple franchises and more than a decade. From Houston and Atlanta to Cleveland and San Francisco, McDaniel’s coaching development has been closely linked to Shanahan’s offensive tree.
His most prominent success came with the 49ers, where he helped engineer one of the league’s most respected run schemes before eventually taking over as offensive coordinator.
That history explains why McDaniel’s name surfaced almost instantly among 49ers fans and media circles.
NFL coaching paths are rarely linear, and former head coaches often resurface quickly in familiar environments as senior assistants or offensive specialists.
Trust and shared language matter, and few coaches understand Shanahan’s system better than McDaniel.
Of course, speculation only goes so far without opportunity. A reunion would require both a clear role and a mutual belief that the fit makes sense.
As of now, there’s no indication that San Francisco is actively planning to bring McDaniel back.
Still, the timing aligns with the league-wide shuffle that occurs every January, when staffs are reshaped and experienced voices quietly move to new buildings.
The situation is further complicated by Miami’s recent activity within the 49ers ecosystem. The Dolphins reportedly interviewed Tariq Ahmad, RJ Gillen, and Josh Williams for their general manager vacancy, all key figures in the San Francisco 49ers' front office.
Before McDaniel’s firing, Williams was considered a strong internal favorite due to his close working relationship with the head coach.
With McDaniel gone, that connection loses much of its relevance, and Miami’s focus is expected to shift toward candidates without 49ers ties.
For San Francisco, this remains a storyline worth monitoring, not expecting. The 49ers haven’t announced any plans, and no formal discussions have been reported.
But in a league driven by relationships and familiarity, McDaniel’s availability ensures his name won’t disappear quietly.