AP Photo/Jeff Chiu
The Miami Dolphins are reportedly zeroing in on San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel to be their next head coach, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network provided more details:
Tom Pelissero @TomPelissero
New <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dolphins?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#Dolphins</a> coach Mike McDaniel, who is multiracial, is the first minority head coach hired in this cycle — replacing Brian Flores, who filed a class action lawsuit last week regarding a lack of diversity in hiring.<br><br>The <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/49ers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#49ers</a> will receive two third-round compensatory picks.
The Dolphins chose McDaniel to replace Brian Flores, who was fired on Jan. 10 despite posting a 19-14 record in his last two seasons.
Although Miami didn’t make the playoffs under the 40-year-old, he did lead the team to back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 2003.
That led to speculation as to why Flores was fired after three years, despite being a well-respected coach among many of the players.
Per Rapoport, there was “frustration and tension” between general manager Chris Grier and Flores:
Ian Rapoport @RapSheet
From <a href=”https://twitter.com/gmfb?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@GMFB</a>: The <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dolphins?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#Dolphins</a> fired coach Brian Flores, while they are keeping GM Chris Grier. <a href=”https://t.co/iS3KosqSbX”>pic.twitter.com/iS3KosqSbX</a>
Ultimately, Dolphins owner Stephen Ross decided to stick with Grier.
Flores is now suing the Dolphins, the NFL and the rest of the league’s 31 teams in a class-action lawsuit, citing racist and discriminatory practices within the league for head coach, general manager and coordinator positions.
The Dolphins interviewed numerous candidates but ultimately settled on a pair of finalists in McDaniel and Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, per Rapoport.
McDaniel reportedly interviewed with the Dolphins for 10 hours on Friday, per Peter Schrager of Fox Sports. Moore spoke with Miami on Saturday.
Now the Dolphins turn to McDaniel, who will be the team’s seventh head coach in 20 years.
Pelissero reported Tuesday that Miami put in a request to interview the 38-year-old, who was the 49ers’ run game coordinator from 2017-2020 before receiving a promotion to offensive coordinator for 2021.
Tom Pelissero @TomPelissero
The <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dolphins?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#Dolphins</a> put in a request to interview <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/49ers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#49ers</a> OC Mike McDaniel for their head coaching job, per source. <br><br>The Yale grad is Kyle Shanahan’s longtime right-hand man and run-game guru.
McDaniel’s resume also included two years as an offensive assistant under ex-Falcons offensive coordinator (and current 49ers head coach) Kyle Shanahan in 2015-2016.
He worked with wide receivers for the Washington Football Team (2013) and Cleveland Browns (2014) among other stops in an NFL career that began in 2005 as a Denver Broncos intern.
The 49ers’ rushing attack finished 16th, 14th, eighth and 16th in yards per carry during McDaniel’s four seasons as the run game coordinator. This year’s offense finished 13th in points per game.
Shanahan and McDaniel notably find creative ways for their best players to touch the ball. For example, Deebo Samuel finished the year with 1,770 total yards (1,405 rushing, 365 receiving) and 14 touchdowns. He notably had 59 carries and eight scores on the ground.
Ultimately, the 49ers seemingly get the most out of their offensive talents, as was the case when San Francisco made the Super Bowl two years ago.
Now McDaniel will be tasked with doing the same in Miami. His relationship with third-year quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will be crucial as the team looks to rebound from finishing just No. 22 in scoring.
Ultimately, McDaniel is being brought to Miami as an offensive guru, and the Dolphins hope he can rectify a unit that hasn’t finished top six in the NFL in scoring since 1994.
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