Career Timeline of Mike McDaniel: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Mike McDaniel, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Michael Lee McDaniel is the head coach of the Miami Dolphins. He started his NFL career as an intern for the Denver Broncos in 2005. He has served as an assistant coach for several NFL teams, including the Houston Texans, Washington Commanders, Cleveland Browns, Atlanta Falcons, and San Francisco 49ers. McDaniel was the offensive coordinator for the 49ers in 2021 before becoming the Dolphins head coach. He reached Super Bowl LI with the Falcons and Super Bowl LIV with the 49ers.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1951: Team recorded an NFL-record 726 offensive yards, the first to record 700 or more yards since 1951.

In 2023, McDaniel led the Dolphins to a historic 70–20 victory over the Denver Broncos in Week 3, the first time a team scored 70 or more points in the Super Bowl era. The team recorded an NFL-record 726 offensive yards, the first to record 700 or more yards since 1951. He led the team to a 11–6 mark in the 2023 season.

2005: Started NFL coaching career with the Denver Broncos

In 2005, McDaniel began his NFL coaching career as an intern for the Denver Broncos.

2005: Hired as coaching intern for Denver Broncos

In 2005, at the age of 22, McDaniel was hired by his hometown Denver Broncos as a coaching intern under head coach Mike Shanahan.

2005: First Dolphins head coach since Nick Saban to win his first game

In 2022, McDaniel became the first Dolphins head coach since Nick Saban in 2005 to win his first game as Miami's head coach.

2006: Hired as an offensive assistant for the Houston Texans

In 2006, McDaniel was hired by the Houston Texans as an offensive assistant under head coach Gary Kubiak.

2009: Hired as running backs coach for the California Redwoods

In 2009, McDaniel was hired by the California Redwoods, a team from the now-defunct United Football League, as a running backs coach under head coach Dennis Green.

2011: Hired as offensive assistant for the Washington Redskins

In 2011, McDaniel was hired by the Washington Redskins as an offensive assistant, reuniting with head coach Mike Shanahan.

2013: Promoted to wide receivers coach for the Washington Redskins

In 2013, McDaniel was promoted to wide receivers coach for the Washington Redskins.

2014: Hired as wide receivers coach for the Cleveland Browns

In 2014, McDaniel was hired by the Cleveland Browns as their wide receivers coach under new head coach Mike Pettine.

2015: Hired as offensive assistant coach for the Atlanta Falcons

In 2015, McDaniel was hired by the Atlanta Falcons as an offensive assistant coach under new head coach Dan Quinn.

2016: Dolphins first playoff berth since 2016

McDaniel led the Dolphins to a 9–8 record in 2022, giving Miami their first playoff berth since 2016.

2017: Served as assistant coach for the San Francisco 49ers and appeared in Super Bowl LI

In 2017, McDaniel served as an assistant coach for the Houston Texans, Washington Commanders, Cleveland Browns, Atlanta Falcons, and San Francisco 49ers. He also appeared in Super Bowl LI with the Falcons in 2017.

2017: Hired as Run Game Coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers

In 2017, McDaniel was hired by the San Francisco 49ers as their run game coordinator under head coach Kyle Shanahan.

2018: Helped the Dolphins defeat the Buffalo Bills for the first time since 2018

In 2022, McDaniel also helped the Dolphins defeat the Buffalo Bills for the first time since the 2018 season.

2019: Appeared in Super Bowl LIV

During the 2019 season, McDaniel and the San Francisco 49ers appeared in Super Bowl LIV, where they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 31-20.

2020: Appeared in Super Bowl LIV with the 49ers

In 2020, McDaniel appeared in Super Bowl LIV with the 49ers.

January 18, 2021: Promoted to offensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers

On January 18, 2021, McDaniel was promoted to offensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers.

2021: Became offensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers

In 2021, McDaniel held his first offensive coordinator position with the San Francisco 49ers.

February 6, 2022: Hired as head coach of the Miami Dolphins

On February 6, 2022, the Miami Dolphins hired McDaniel as their fourteenth head coach.

September 11, 2022: Regular season head coaching debut and first victory

On September 11, 2022, McDaniel made his regular season head coaching debut against the New England Patriots and led the Dolphins to a 20–7 victory, marking McDaniel's first victory as a head coach.