Mike McDaniel is back in the coaching carousel, and he’s drawing plenty of attention.
According to reports, McDaniel is set to meet with the Cleveland Browns for an in-person interview on Wednesday - his second with the organization. That’s a clear sign he’s among the finalists for the Browns' head coaching vacancy, and it puts him squarely in the mix as the team weighs its next move.
McDaniel isn’t just on Cleveland’s radar, though. He’s become one of the most sought-after names on the market this offseason, garnering interest for both head coaching roles and high-profile offensive coordinator positions, including with the Eagles and Lions. That kind of demand speaks volumes about how league decision-makers view his offensive mind and leadership potential, even after his recent departure from Miami.
Let’s take a look at who McDaniel is competing with for the Browns job. The list of finalists includes:
- Jeff Hafley, Packers defensive coordinator (requested)
- Todd Monken, Ravens offensive coordinator (scheduled)
- Jim Schwartz, Browns defensive coordinator (scheduled)
- Grant Udinski, Jaguars offensive coordinator (requested)
- Mike McDaniel, former Dolphins head coach (scheduled)
There’s also a broader pool of candidates still in play:
- Tommy Rees, Browns offensive coordinator (interviewed)
- Aden Durde, Seahawks defensive coordinator (requested)
- Dan Pitcher, Bengals offensive coordinator (scheduled)
- John Harbaugh, former Ravens head coach (expected)
- Jesse Minter, Chargers defensive coordinator (requested)
- Nate Scheelhaase, Rams pass game coordinator (scheduled)
- Chris Shula, Rams defensive coordinator (requested)
McDaniel, 42, brings a deep and diverse résumé to the table. He broke into the league back in 2005 as a coaching intern with the Denver Broncos. Over the next decade-plus, he carved out a path through several NFL cities, working as an offensive assistant and wide receivers coach with the Texans, Washington, Browns, and Falcons.
His big break came in San Francisco, where he joined Kyle Shanahan’s staff in 2017 as the 49ers’ run game coordinator. That stint lasted through 2020, and in 2021 he was promoted to offensive coordinator - a role that put his creativity and schematic prowess on full display.
The Dolphins hired McDaniel as their head coach in 2022, handing him a four-year deal and the keys to a talented but inconsistent roster. Over four seasons in Miami, McDaniel led the team to a 35-33 record (.515 winning percentage) and two playoff appearances. While the tenure had its ups and downs, his offenses were often among the league’s most innovative, and he helped develop key players on both sides of the ball.
McDaniel was let go by the Dolphins following the 2025 season, but it hasn’t taken long for teams to come calling. Whether he lands back in a head coaching role or takes over an elite offensive unit as a coordinator, one thing’s clear: McDaniel remains one of the most intriguing minds in today’s NFL coaching landscape.