The Los Angeles Chargers made one of the most exciting hires of the offseason, bringing in the premier offensive coordinator candidate on the market in Mike McDaniel.
Although he'll likely be back to head coaching at his next opportunity, the Chargers will benefit immensely from his schematic mind in the meantime. After two seasons of Greg Roman, it's safe to say this will be a major upgrade.
Since the hiring, many Chargers fans have been buzzing about what McDaniel can bring to the offense. He worked wonders in his first two seasons in Miami, and he could be what is truly needed to elevate Justin Herbert and the talent around him.
With Chris O'Leary set to continue much of Jesse Minter's defensive scheme, Los Angeles now has the staff they need to enter genuine Super Bowl contention.
Even Jim Harbaugh, who is not one for hyperbolic or overly emotional statements, has bought into the hype.
Jim Harbaugh is in awe of Mike McDaniel's unique football perspective
At the Senior Bowl, Harbaugh was asked what he likes about McDaniel. His answer was uncharacteristically verbose:
"I'm just kind of enthralled listening to him talk, and these profound football things that he comes up with... At his press conference, he talked about speed being an attribute for a football player- being their second-best thing that they do... That was incredible."Jim Harbaugh
Although McDaniel's success with the Dolphins was somewhat limited from a postseason perspective, he showed himself to be one of the strongest and most innovative schematic minds in the league in his time as a head coach.
In 2023, Miami had the best offense in the league by total yards under his leadership. He showed a complex understanding of how to utilize and leverage the speed and talent he had on his offense. Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill complemented each other as downfield receiving threats, and De'Von Achane perfectly fit his outside-focused run scheme.
McDaniel thinks of the game in a particular way. Evidently it appeals to Harbaugh.
With an explosive play threat in Omarion Hampton and a strong receiving corps in Keenan Allen, Ladd McConkey, and Quentin Johnston, McDaniel has the tools he needs to succeed in Los Angeles. If McDaniel can utilize the speed and the individual skills of each of these players how he did in Miami, the Chargers offense could soon become truly special.
If Harbaugh is this excited, fans should be as well.