When a former head coach turns down multiple opportunities to run another team so he can become a coordinator instead, you better believe there's a hell of a story there. And in this case, it's all about belief in a quarterback.
Mike McDaniel, the former Miami Dolphins head coach who made the playoffs in consecutive seasons, is expected to become the Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator, spurning other head coaching opportunities to work with Justin Herbert.
Read that again. A guy who just coached a playoff team is taking a demotion - at least on paper - because he believes that much in Herbert's talent.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, McDaniel informed other teams pursuing him for head coaching positions that they're out of the running. The Chargers clearly want him, and after a dinner meeting, the expectation across the league is that McDaniel will be staying in LA.
This is unprecedented, folks. You don't see former head coaches willingly step back into coordinator roles unless they're desperate for work or coming off a disaster. McDaniel is neither. He went 20-14 in two seasons with Miami, made the playoffs both years, and could have had his pick of other situations.
But he sees something special in Herbert - and honestly, who can blame him? Herbert has elite arm talent, intelligence, and work ethic. What he's lacked is consistency in coaching and scheme. He's had three different head coaches in five years, each bringing their own offensive philosophy.
McDaniel is known for his innovative offensive mind. He was the architect of San Francisco's run-heavy scheme before taking the Miami job. He knows how to build an offense around a quarterback's strengths. And now he's betting his immediate future on Herbert.
For Herbert, this is . Stability. A coordinator who believes in him enough to turn down head coaching gigs. An offensive mind who can maximize his talents.
