Michael Lee McDaniel is a professional American football head coach for the Miami Dolphins in the NFL. McDaniel began his coaching career at the age of 22, as an intern with the Denver Broncos. During his time as a coach, McDaniel has coached a total of seven NFL teams, along with coaching a team in the UFL.

MDaniel played collegiate football as a wide receiver and received a degree in History at Yale University in 2004. McDaniel completed his high school studies from Smoky Hill High School in 2001.

Mike McDaniel Personal Information

Mike McDaniel’s Early Life, Personal Life, and Family Background

McDaniel was born on the 6th of March, 1983, in Aurora, Colorado. At the age of ten, McDaniel began attending the preseason camp organised by the Denver Broncos. Following that, McDaniel attended Smoky Hill High School as a grade seven student in 1996. McDaniel’s biological father is the late Mike Sr but his mother, Donna McDaniel later married Gary McCune, according to ESPN.

Mike McDaniel’s House

According to Housing Market News and Urban Splatter, Mike McDaniel has a house in Miami, Florida. The three bedroom property was purchased for around $5,200,000 in 2022.

Mike McDaniel’s Contract & Salary

According to the NFL's official website, McDaniel signed a four-year contract with the Miami Dolphins in 2022. According to Fox Sports, McDaniel signed a three-year extension deal with the Dolphins, that will keep him under contract coaching the Dolphins till the 2028 NFL season.

Mike McDaniel’s Coaching History

In 2005, McDaniel interviewed with the Denver Broncos and got a coaching internship, which led to the start of his coaching career. The following year, McDaniel was hired as an offensive assistant by the Houston Texans. In 2009, McDaniel started working as a running backs coach for the California Redwoods/Sacramento Mountain Lions in the United Football League. After two years with the Sacramento Mountain Lions, in 2011, McDaniel was hired as an offensive assistant by the Washington Redskins. As a wide receivers coach in 2014 McDaniel was appointed by the Cleveland Browns. The following season saw McDaniel working as an offensive assistant coach for the Atlanta Falcons. The San Francisco 49ers appointed McDaniel as their run game coordinator in 2017. Ultimately in 2022, the Miami Dolphins hired McDaniel as their 11th head coach.

Denver Broncos (2005)

McDaniel's coaching career started in 2005, when he worked as a coaching intern with the Broncos for a season under head coach, Mike Shanahan.

Houston Texans (2006-2008)

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

California Redwoods/Sacramento Mountain Lions (2009-2010)

McDaniel joined the California Redwoods (later renamed as Sacramento Mountain Lions) as a running backs coach under former NFL head coach, Dennis Green, in the United Football League.

Washington Redskins (2011-2013)

McDaniel was hired as an offensive assistant at Washington Redskins in 2011, reuniting under his mentor and head coach, Mike Shanahan. In 2013, he was promoted to wide receivers coach for a season, until the new head coach, Jay Gruden, did not retain him for the 2014 season.

Cleveland Browns (2014)

McDaniel was appointed as the wide receivers coach for the Cleveland Browns for the 2014 NFL season under head coach, Mike Pettine.

Atlanta Falcons (2015-2016)

In 2015, McDaniel joined the Atlanta Falcons as an offensive assistant coach under head coach, Dan Quinn.

San Francisco 49ers (2017-2021)

In 2017, McDaniel was appointed as a run-game coordinator at the San Francisco 49ers under his long-time associate and head coach, Kyle Shanahan. After a Super Bowl appearance in 2019, he was promoted to the position of Offensive Coordinator in 2021.

Miami Dolphins (2022-Present)

The Miami Dolphins made Mike McDaniel their head coach on 6th February, 2022. In both the 2022 and 2023 seasons, the Dolphins finished 2nd in the AFC East. During the 2023 NFL season, the Dolphins’ 726 offensive yards set an NFL record, making it the first team to have recorded 700 or more yards since 1951. As of October 2024, the Dolphins have a 21-17-0 record under McDaniel's tenure.

Mike McDaniel’s Playing Career

Mike McDaniel played collegiate football at Yale University as a wide receiver between 2001-2004.

Yale Bulldogs (2001-2004)

According to the Sporting News, McDaniel was a four-year letterman at Yale. Prior to making the jump to the varsity in 2003 as a backup receiver, McDaniel participated on the junior varsity teams in 2001 and 2002.

Mike McDaniel’s Coaching Tree

According to Pro Football History, McDaniel has worked under head coaches Gary Kubiak, Mike Shanahan, Mike Pettine, Dan Quinn, and Kyle Shanahan.

Mike McDaniel’s Family

According to Sporting News, Mike McDaniel is the son of the late Mike McDaniel Sr. and Donna McDaniel.

Mike McDaniel’s Father

Mike McDaniel Sr. is Mike McDaniel’s father. Mike Sr. died in a vehicular accident four years after McDaniel’s birth.

Mike McDaniel’s Mother

Donna McDaniel is Mike McDaniel’s mother. According to Pro Football Network, Donna took on multiple jobs to provide for McDaniel’s financial needs. Donna married Gary McCune, a few years after her husband’s death.

Mike McDaniel’s Wife

According to the Dolphins’ official website, Mike McDaniel married Katie McDaniel in 2014.

Mike McDaniel’s Kids

According to the Dolphins’ official website, Mike and Katie McDaniel have a daughter named Ayla.