Former Miami Dolphins head coach <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/coach/mike-mcdaniel-133671/">Mike McDaniel </a>pulled himself out of<a href="https://www.on3.com/pro/news/mike-mcdaniel-interviewing-for-bills-head-coaching-job-after-reportedly-taking-chargers-oc-role/"> the running</a> for the Buffalo Bills coaching vacancy, <a href="https://x.com/DMRussini/status/2015054954285748378">per The Athletic’s Dianna Russini.</a> McDaniel is still expected to take the Los Angeles Chargers OC job, if he does not land another head coaching gig.



“Update: Mike McDaniel pulled out of his scheduled meeting down in Florida with the Bills yesterday, I’m told, and the two sides never met,” <a href="https://x.com/DMRussini/status/2015054954285748378">Russini wrote on Twitter/X.</a> “McDaniel remains in contention for the Raiders’ head coaching job, but if he takes an OC position, it’s still expected to be with the Chargers.”



With the Raiders still interested in McDaniel, among others, he could still land a new gig and lead a new franchise. But as it stands, McDaniel will coach under <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/coach/jim-harbaugh-132176/">Jim Harbaugh</a> in Los Angeles. 



McDaniel, 42, was widely viewed as one of the most coveted coaches available this offseason due to his offensive prowess. That status mirrors the momentum he carried when Miami hired him, a move that paid immediate dividends. 



Under McDaniel, the Dolphins reached the playoffs in back-to-back seasons, with the team going 20–14 in the regular season while working closely with quarterback <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/tua-tagovailoa-116794/">Tua Tagovailoa</a>. Miami, however, was eliminated in the AFC Wild Card Round both years.



However, the trajectory shifted soon after. Miami slipped to 8–9 in 2024 and followed that with a 7–10 finish this past season. During the downturn, Tagovailoa was benched, opening the door for <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/quinn-ewers-97493/">Quinn Ewers</a> to see action late in the year. The Dolphins ultimately opted for a reset, hiring <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/coach/jeff-hafley-132716/">Jeff Hafley</a> to replace McDaniel after his stint as the Green Bay Packers’ defensive coordinator.



Meanwhile, McDaniel has also trimmed his list of potential destinations. According to Tom Pelissero, he <a href="https://www.on3.com/pro/news/espn-mike-mcdaniel-expected-to-become-offensive-coordinator-for-los-angeles-chargers/">withdrew from consideration</a> for the Cleveland Browns head coaching job ahead of a scheduled in-person interview, signaling a narrowed focus on select opportunities. Pelissero added that McDaniel remains a candidate for the Raiders opening, as Russini reported as well.

USATSI_27865454 (1)

5GOATs

Report: Mike McDaniel withdraws from Buffalo Bills coaching candidacy

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