Former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel is reportedly heading out to LA to join the Los Angeles Chargers as offensive coordinator.
Former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel had a lot of interview requests following his exodus from the team. With head coach opportunities and offensive coordinator interviews coming in, it was believed he may have been given the chance to be a head coach again.
McDaniel had interviews with the Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans, Atlanta Falcons, and Baltimore Ravens.
Initially, the Browns requested a second interview, which led to the shock that McDaniel had reportedly pulled himself from consideration from that job.
Following the news of his withdrawal from the Browns head coach opportunity, it was revealed that he was set to be hired as the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers.
NFL insider Adam Schefter reported on the news on Tuesday night.
"Former Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel is expected to become the Chargers offensive coordinator barring a change of heart, per @JeffDarlington and me. McDaniel has informed other teams that they’re out, the Chargers clearly want him, and the two sides are having dinner tonight. But the expectation across the league is that McDaniel will be staying in LA," Schefter wrote.
What was most interesting about the report was that it indicated that McDaniel might still want a head coach opportunity. That appears not to be the case currently, but could change.
Despite conflicting ideas in the report, all signs are pointing to McDaniel running the Chargers' offense in 2026.
The pairing of McDaniel and the Chargers offense makes a ton of sense. For starters, he now gets to mentor and guide quarterback Justin Herbert.
There was always the long-standing debate about whether the Dolphins made the mistake of taking Tua Tagovailoa instead of Herbert, who went to the Chargers in the pick after during the 2020 NFL Draft.
While McDaniel already coached Tagovailoa, he now gets to coach the player the Dolphins appeared to have missed out on.
McDaniel was also guiding running back De'Von Achane, who led the league with 5.7 yards per carry, leading to his first Pro Bowl nod. Now, McDaniel has the young Omarion Hampton to lead.
With the coaching prowess of both Jim Harbaugh and McDaniel, this Chargers team could be far more dangerous in 2026.
McDaniel might also want to bring over some coaches he worked with in Miami, such as offensive line coach Butch Barry. This is assuming the Dolphins will allow a lateral move such as that.
Either way, McDaniel's revenge game will come in 2026, as the Dolphins and Chargers will face off next season.