Mike McDaniel to be next Chargers OC ‘barring a change of heart’

Mike McDaniel heads west after being fired as head coach of the Miami Dolphins.

McDaniel is reportedly anticipated to grow to be the Los Angeles Chargers’ subsequent offensive coordinator, “barring a change of coronary heart.” according to ESPN.

“McDaniel has let different groups know they’re out, the Chargers clearly need him and the 2 sides are having dinner tonight,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted Tuesday evening. “However the expectation across the league is that McDaniel will stay in LA.”

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Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel is on the sphere earlier than a recreation in opposition to the New Orleans Saints at Laborious Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, November 30, 2025. (Wealthy tales/photos)

The Chargers and head coach Jim Harbaugh moved on from offensive coordinator Greg Roman after a brutal loss to the New England Patriots within the wild-card spherical. Los Angeles completed twelfth in yards per recreation (333.8), though they have been in the midst of the pack in factors scored (21.6).

McDaniel’s firing in Miami got here as a little bit of a shock after possession backed him, however he was faraway from his place shortly after.

Dolphins tight finish Darren Waller even stated he was “on the scene of the crime” when he was in the midst of his exit interview with McDaniel when proprietor Stephen Ross “kicked the door open” about 10 minutes into their dialog.

DOLPHINS’ DARREN WALLER SAYS HE WAS KICKED OUT OF EXIT MEETING WITH COACH MIKE MCDANIEL BEFORE HE FIRED

‘He is available in and joins the dialog’ Waller said. “We’re all speaking, reflecting on the yr, and Stephen Ross stated, ‘I am excited to have you ever again subsequent yr.’ Then the dialog falls right into a sort of silence.”

Since then, McDaniel has been flying round for interviews for each head teaching and offensive coordinators. In response to ESPN, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Philadelphia Eagles have been each pursuing McDaniel as their high candidate for offensive coordinator.

Nevertheless, the report provides that “the pull to return to California and coach Justin Herbert proved strongest” as McDaniel was courted across the league.

The Dolphins made back-to-back playoff appearances in McDaniel’s first two seasons as head coach, however have been eradicated within the first spherical each instances. The next season, they have been eradicated after an surprising loss to the New York Jets within the workforce’s season finale.

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel leaves the sphere on the finish of a recreation in opposition to the Los Angeles Chargers at Laborious Rock Stadium on October 12, 2025. (Wealthy tales/photos)

McDaniel’s remaining season in Miami was tumultuous, highlighted by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s struggles and his eventual presence within the remaining three video games of the season.

In one in every of his final massive strikes as head coach, McDaniel stated this week that the Dolphins would maintain a quarterback competitors for the 2026 season, a call that Tagovailoa appeared to welcome this week when he confirmed he was open to a “recent begin” elsewhere.

There isn’t a quarterback competitors for the Chargers. Herbert has been the star on the place since he was drafted sixth total in 2020. He earned his second Professional Bowl nod this yr after throwing for 3,727 yards with 26 touchdowns and 13 interceptions behind one of many worst offensive traces in soccer after tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt have been misplaced for the season.

Since taking on, Harbaugh rapidly obtained the Chargers again into the playoffs, however they’re in search of that first playoff win beneath the veteran coach. Final season in addition they misplaced within the wild card spherical to the Houston Texans.

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel runs to the locker room after the primary half of a recreation on September 14, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (AP Photograph/Rebecca Blackwell)

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Not solely will McDaniel have an correct, strong-throwing quarterback, however there are a number of weapons to be optimistic about, together with operating backs Omarion Hampton and Kimani Vidal and receivers Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston.

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