Mike McDaniel, who turned 41 in March, recently started his third season as the Miami Dolphins’ head coach after leading the team to another postseason appearance in 2023. The Dolphins appointed him as the 11th head coach in franchise history on Feb. 7, 2022, just a month before his 39th birthday.
In the 2023 season, McDaniel’s Dolphins scored 70 points against the Denver Broncos, his favorite team from childhood. Under McDaniel’s leadership, Miami’s offense has become one of the most explosive in the NFL over the past two seasons.
Where Is Mike McDaniel From?
Growing up in Greeley, Colorado, Mike McDaniel was a devoted Broncos fan and served as a ball boy for the team during high school. He attended Yale, where he played as a wide receiver for four seasons. Although his playing time was limited, he began working with the team’s wide receivers as an upperclassman, marking the beginning of his coaching journey.
McDaniel’s NFL coaching career began as an intern with the Broncos in 2005 under head coach Mike Shanahan. He later became an offensive assistant for the Houston Texans under head coach Gary Kubiak in 2006
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After two years in the UFL, McDaniel joined Mike Shanahan’s staff in Washington, where he worked from 2011 to 2014. The team included several future head coaches, such as Sean McVay, Matt LaFleur, and Kyle Shanahan.
In 2022, McDaniel discussed how the Washington staff adapted their offense to incorporate zone reads for rookie Robert Griffin III: “We remain open to adapting our approach to fit the skill sets of our players, including the quarterback. Our scheme might be seen as creative, but it’s really about constant adaptation — responding to defenses and evolving with our players.”
A Brief Look at Mike McDaniel’s Strong Rookie Season
In 2022, McDaniel guided the Dolphins to a 9-8 record and a postseason appearance. He became the fifth Miami head coach to make the playoffs in his first season and just the sixth to achieve a winning record.
The Dolphins’ offense ranked sixth in yards per game and 11th in scoring. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, along with wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, had standout seasons under McDaniel’s leadership. Hill and Waddle combined for 3,066 receiving yards, the third-most by teammates in a single season in NFL history.