The LA Chargers find themselves needing a new offensive coordinator and former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel finds himself needing a new gig. At first, it seemed unlikely, but McDaniel coaching Justin Herbert and the Chargers' offense is a match made in heaven.
McDaniel seemed destined for a head coaching job after being one of the hottest coaches in the league just a handful of years ago. However, if the latest rumors are to be believed, the once-proclaimed offensive wizard may prefer to take a step back to be an offensive coordinator with a good team.
FOX Sports' Greg Auman reported that McDaniel will interview for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator opening and also provided some valuable insight. According to Auman, McDaniel would consider a "great" offensive coordinator opportunity more than a not-great head coaching opportunity.
Thankfully for the Chargers, they have the best offensive coordinator opening in the league.
Latest Mike McDaniel rumor bodes well for the LA Chargers
As disappointing as his playoff stinker was, Justin Herbert alone makes the Chargers' offensive coordinator job the most intriguing on the market. It's rare a coach gets the chance to coach an elite quarterback, even if it's just in a coordinator capacity.
The Chargers also present the best long-term prospects for McDaniel's career. Not only would he pilot an explosive offense that can contend for the Super Bowl, but he would also instantly make himself one of the hottest names on the coaching market next season.
There inevitably will be more jobs that open next season, and there are some potential openings that are far better than what McDaniel might get this year. Why coach the Tennessee Titans when you could potentially coach Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals? Or America's Team?
Yes, this set-up would ultimately result in the Chargers only getting a year of McDaniel, but any successful offensive coordinator the Chargers get is only going to last a year or two. That is the biggest issue with offensive coordinators when you don't have an offensive-minded head coach. They are either great and leave for promotions, or bad and get fired... like Greg Roman.
The Chargers shouldn't make an offensive coordinator hire based on perceived fear that they could leave after one season. Jim Harbaugh needs to make the best hire to put the Chargers in a position to win the Super Bowl next season. McDaniel is far and away the best option to achieve that goal.
Time will tell if this rumor ends up being true, but if it is, McDaniel will almost certainly take the Chargers' OC job this winter.