Mike McDaniel earned his dream job. The former San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator, and Kyle Shanahan's former right-hand man, is the new head coach of the Miami Dolphins.
On Thursday, McDaniel held his introductory press conference, speaking with Miami-area reporters for the first time since the hire. The coach expressed gratitude toward those who helped him in his NFL journey, which started as an unpaid intern with the Denver Broncos. He then held various coaching roles with the Houston Texans, Washington Commanders, Cleveland Browns, and Atlanta Falcons before joining the 49ers in 2017, all while staying tied to the hip of Shanahan.
McDaniel took a moment during his press conference to thank his former boss and the 49ers organization for helping him get to this point.
"I'd be remiss if I didn't thank the immense amount of people that had to do with me even having this opportunity, starting with Kyle Shanahan, Jed York, and his family, John Lynch and the 49ers organization," McDaniel told reporters. "They're a first-class organization that really helped facilitate me coming into my own, I feel like.
"Without the players, who are the people that you really get into this business for, all their support, all their hard work, and their commitment, none of this would have been possible, and I thank all the 49er players as well."
McDaniel started his time in Santa Clara as the 49ers' run-game coordinator. Last year, he was promoted to offensive coordinator, not calling plays but assisting Shanahan in week-to-week game plans.
McDaniel plans to call plays in Miami, as Shanahan does with the 49ers. The relationship between the two coaches is about as unique as one can find in the NFL. There is a great deal of respect shared between Shanahan and McDaniel, and if the words from the 49ers head coach and his players are true, McDaniel's brilliance could help turn things around in Miami.
"I'm not sure what I would be doing if it wasn't for him," McDaniel said of Shanahan and his influence over the years.
The only time Shanahan and McDaniel weren't together since 2006 was from 2009 through 2010, when McDaniel served as the running backs coach for the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the UFL.
McDaniel believes his experience with Shanahan has prepared him to be an NFL head coach.
"He really relied on me and allowed me to be his right-hand man and opened my eyes to all the things that a head coach does," McDaniel said.
