When the Miami Dolphins announced the team fired head coach Mike McDaniel after four years, the Detroit Lions’ search for the next offensive coordinator took an intriguing twist.
Although there have been rumors over the last few days that the Lions are seriously considering hiring former quarterback David Blough as the team’s next OC, his lack of play-calling experience is a concern. Blough may be an asset to Detroit in a different capacity. However, hiring another first-time offensive coordinator would be a mistake. Instead, the team needs an experienced OC with a firm grasp of play calling.
Without an experienced OC, Dan Campbell indicated he would remain the Lions’ play caller, if necessary. But after giving himself a “freaking F,” this year because the Lions didn’t make the playoffs, Campbell needs someone he can reliably turn to as his play caller. Fortunately, a terrific candidate just hit the market who could change that scenario.
The Best Candidate For The Detroit Lions OC Just Became Available
Mike McDaniel (Miami Dolphins Former Head Coach)
McDaniel is no longer the Dolphins’ head coach. On Thursday morning, Dolphins owner Stephen Ross announced the news, citing a need for “comprehensive change” after the team missed the playoffs for a second straight year with a 7-10 finish this season. The news that he was being replaced as head coach undoubtedly came as a surprise to McDaniel. Earlier in the week, McDaniel stated he would be working with Troy Aikman in the search for the next GM. But perhaps the sudden availability of John Harbaugh altered that scenario.
A two-time Super Bowl coach with the Atlanta Falcons (2017) and the San Francisco 49ers (2020), Mike McDaniel offers an impressive resume. He gained extensive experience as both a run game coordinator and an offensive coordinator during his five-year tenure with the 49ers. In addition, he served as an offensive assistant coach for several NFL teams. McDaniel was also a running backs coach early in his career before he was hired as the wide receivers coach by the Cleveland Browns in 2014.
In 2022, McDaniel was named head coach for the Dolphins. In his first season, he led the team to its first playoff game in seven years with a 9-8 record. The team again made the playoffs in 2023 with an 11-6 record but lost 26-7 to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Wild Card Round.
McDaniel, Positives:
McDaniel brings strong run game experience working with De’Von Achane and Raheem Mostert. In 2023, Achane’s rookie season, both players recorded more than 1,000 yards from scrimmage. Mostert made his first Pro Bowl. McDaniel’s familiarity working with a tandem running back duo would be ideally suited to Detroit’s run-first offense.
McDaniel, Negatives:
In the last two seasons, the Dolphins missed the playoffs with back-to-back losing records. McDaniel’s had a difficult time dealing with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s concussion history and his recent benching, and off-field issues with star wide receiver Tyreek Hill.
The Catch: McDaniel Will Have No Shortage of HC Suitors
McDaniel will undoubtedly have a long line of NFL suitors lining up to offer him a head coaching job. Nonetheless, he may want to consider taking the job with Detroit. Perhaps coming to a well-run, talent-heavy, and disciplined organization in Detroit as the team’s offensive coordinator would feel like a breath of fresh air.