If you are a fan of the NFL, you might have wondered if Mike McDaniel and Josh McDaniel are related. They both share the same surname and the same profession as football coaches. But are they really family?
Who is Mike McDaniel?
Mike McDaniel is the current head coach of the Miami Dolphins. He was hired in January 2022 after serving as the offensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers for four seasons. He is known for his innovative and creative offensive schemes that utilize a variety of personnel and formations.
McDaniel began his coaching career as an intern with the Denver Broncos in 2005, where he worked under Mike Shanahan and Gary Kubiak. He then followed Shanahan to the Houston Texans, Washington Redskins, and Atlanta Falcons, before joining him in San Francisco in 2017.
McDaniel was born in Aurora, Colorado, on April 29, 1983. He played wide receiver at Yale University, where he graduated with a degree in history.
Who is Josh McDaniel?
Josh McDaniel is the current head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders. He was hired in February 2022 after serving as the offensive coordinator of the New England Patriots for 14 non-consecutive seasons. He is known for his success with Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, winning six Super Bowl titles with them.
McDaniel began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Michigan State University in 1999, where he worked under Nick Saban. He then joined the Patriots in 2001 as a personnel assistant, before becoming a defensive assistant, quarterbacks coach, and offensive coordinator. He left New England in 2009 to become the head coach of the Denver Broncos, but was fired after a 3-9 start in his second season. He then spent one year as the offensive coordinator of the St. Louis Rams, before returning to the Patriots in 2012.
McDaniel was born in Canton, Ohio, on April 22, 1976. He played quarterback at Canton McKinley High School and John Carroll University, where he graduated with a degree in mathematics.
Are They Related?
According to public knowledge, Mike McDaniel and Josh McDaniel are not related. It might be a coincidence that both football coaches happen to share the same surname and the same profession.
Moreover, Mike was born in Colorado, while Josh was born in Ohio. They also have different parents and backgrounds. Mike’s father is Michael McDaniel Sr., a former Air Force pilot and lawyer, while Josh’s father is Thom McDaniel, a legendary high school football coach in Ohio.
There is no evidence that suggests that Mike and Josh are cousins or distant relatives. They have never publicly acknowledged any family ties or connections.
Conclusion
Mike McDaniel and Josh McDaniel are two successful NFL coaches who share a common last name but not a common bloodline. They are not related by any means, except by their passion for football and their desire to win.