Mike McDaniel, the former Miami Dolphins head coach, is anticipated to be named the new offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers. The move, pending a formal agreement, would see McDaniel partner with head coach Jim Harbaugh and quarterback Justin Herbert. He is expected to replace Greg Roman, who was terminated by the Chargers after two seasons.
Anticipated Appointment
League sources report that the Los Angeles Chargers are expected to hire Mike McDaniel as their new offensive coordinator. This appointment follows the termination of Greg Roman from the position last week, after Roman served two seasons with the team. McDaniel's role is projected to involve collaborating with newly appointed head coach Jim Harbaugh and quarterback Justin Herbert. While reports indicate this development, a formal deal has not yet been signed.
Hiring Process and Prior Interests
McDaniel held meetings with Chargers officials on Tuesday. Following these discussions, he withdrew his name from consideration for the Cleveland Browns head coaching position, for which he had a second interview scheduled. McDaniel had also interviewed for head coaching vacancies with the Baltimore Ravens and Las Vegas Raiders. The Chargers reportedly informed other candidates of their decision to proceed with McDaniel, and McDaniel communicated his intention to join the Chargers to coach Justin Herbert to other NFL coaches.
McDaniel's Coaching Background
McDaniel concluded his four-season tenure as head coach of the Miami Dolphins with a regular season record of 35-33 and a playoff record of 0-2.
During his initial two years in Miami (2022-2023), the Dolphins' offense demonstrated specific performance metrics. In 2023, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa led the NFL in passing yards with 4,624. The Dolphins' offense ranked second in scoring and third in expected points added per play during that period, according to TruMedia.
Over his subsequent two seasons in Miami (2024-2025), the offensive unit experienced a change in performance. This period coincided with Tagovailoa missing games due to injuries, including a concussion in 2024. Tagovailoa's performance in 2025 led to his benching in December of that year.
Regarding the run game, McDaniel’s offense ranked 11th in EPA per designed rush over his four seasons in Miami, according to TruMedia, and was third in this metric in 2022-23. Before his head coaching role, McDaniel served as run game coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers from 2017-20.
Chargers' Context and Objectives
The Chargers' decision follows a period where former offensive coordinator Greg Roman's tenure saw the team not advance past the first round in their last two postseason appearances. In a recent playoff loss to the New England Patriots, the Chargers scored three points, marking their second consecutive season ending with a first-round postseason exit. The previous year, the Chargers' offense scored 12 points in a playoff loss to the Houston Texans under Roman. Under Roman's leadership, the Chargers ranked 19th in EPA per designed rush and 22nd in rushing success rate.
At his end-of-season news conference, coach Jim Harbaugh stated his team's responsibility is "to put him [Herbert] in the best position possible." Harbaugh outlined specific criteria for his next offensive coordinator, seeking someone who can effectively teach, install schemes, position players for success, and prioritize scoring points. He also emphasized a desire for a "physical run game" and a "physical unit that is smart, plays tough, plays physical, very sound, and puts the playmakers in position to make plays, and does that as a unit." McDaniel's past experience as a run game coordinator aligns with Harbaugh's stated emphasis on the run game.
In the 2023 season opener, McDaniel's Dolphins scored 36 points against the Chargers' defense, then coached by Brandon Staley. During that game, Tagovailoa threw for 466 yards, and wide receiver Tyreek Hill recorded 11 catches for 215 yards and two touchdowns. The organization aims for this potential hire of McDaniel to contribute to improving Herbert's playoff performance.