From ball boy at Broncos to Dolphins think tank, rewinding Mike McDaniel’s journey to NFL hot seat

Mike McDaniel, the Miami Dolphins head coach, has made his squad so formidable that they are just smashing every rival on their way. Besides ensuring a 3-0 record in the 2023 NFL season, the squad secured a new feat by gaining a 70-point victory over the Denver Broncos.

With 33 seconds remaining in the match, the Miami-based team actually had the chance to make the all-time single-game scoring record in the history of the NFL, but McDaniel took pity on them by ordering his squad to kneel down at the Broncos’ 27-yard line. Now, NFL fans have found an interesting reason that might trigger the HC to have mercy on Denver.

Dolphins HC’s Broncos connection

Before starting his coaching career, McDaniel gave a try to his football career, as he spent three years (2001-04) playing wide receiver in college football at Yale. However, his physical limitations hindered his potential to be a pro-ball player.

The Miami coach also served as a ball boy for the Broncos when he was in high school. During one of his old interviews on ‘Broncos Tonight’, he was even seen exclaiming about the opportunity of being a ball boy.

He has also been a coaching intern for the Broncos in 2005. Following the Dolphins’ 70-20 win over Denver, he may have recalled those memories and said it has been an incredible experience.

Meanwhile, though fans can find a connection between the 40-year-old to the Broncos, the vet later revealed that his decision was not aimed at saving Denver from embarrassment. He instead took the decision to shake off the mentality of chasing points and chasing a record.

Mike McDaniel’s career history

After starting his first NFL coaching position in Denver back in 2005, Mike served as an offensive assistant for the Houston Texans (2006-08) and worked under three several offensive coordinators in three seasons: Troy Calhoun, Mike Sherman, and Kyle Shanahan. From 2009 to 2010, he worked as a running backs coach for the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the UFL before serving as an offensive assistant in Washington from 2011 to 2012.

Mike McDaniel
NBC Sports

The Dolphins HC later got promoted to wide receiver coach in 2013 before serving the same duty for the Cleveland Browns in the 2014 season. He spent the 2015-16 season as an offensive assistant with the Atlanta Falcons before serving as a run game specialist (2017), run game coordinator (2018), and offensive coordinator (2021) for the San Francisco 49ers.

McDaniel first started his duty as head coach in the Dolphins squad on February 7, 2022. In his debut as an NFL HC against the New England Patriots, he led the Miami squad to a 20–7 victory, and till now, the successful journey has been continuing. What’s your take on his prolonged coaching career? Tell us in the comments.

Maliha

1220 articles

Maliha is an insightful sports writer with over a year of experience focusing on the NFL. Initially venturing into both NFL and NBA coverage, her journey began without a particular affinity for American football. However, her passion for the sport blossomed as she started following football more. Now, a huge NFL fan, Maliha meticulously follows every development within the league. She always wants to ensure her analysis is comprehensive and up-to-date to fellow readers.

|

Leave a Comment

SportsKnot