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Former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel is reportedly among the candidates interviewing for the Buffalo Bills' head coaching job on Friday (January 23), despite accepting the Los Angeles Chargers' offensive coordinator job days prior, a source with knowledge of the situation confirmed to Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer.
"The Bills are interviewing new Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel for their head coaching job today, per source. McDaniel, of course, spent the last four years in the AFC East as Dolphins head coach. McDaniel will be Jim Harbaugh’s OC if he doesn’t land an HC job," Breer wrote on his X account.
The Bills reportedly flew to Florida to meet with McDaniel on Friday and will also meet with Washington Commanders running backs coach Anthony Lynn and Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver on Saturday (January 24), as well as Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski on Sunday (January 25), the Athletic's Dianna Russini reports.
"Buffalo is making sure their best player, team leader, and face of the franchise is part of the hiring process. Josh Allen will have significant say on the next coach of the Buffalo Bills," Russini wrote on her X account.
McDaniel, 42, who was fired by the Dolphins on January 8, was hired by the Chargers on Tuesday (January 20), one day after the Bills announced the firing of former head coach Sean McDermott. The Colorado native went 35-33 during five seasons in Miami, which included the playoffs during his first two, but also a losing record in each of his last two, including a 7-10 finish in 2025.
McDaniel had previously worked as the San Francisco 49ers' offensive coordinator in 2021, as well as several other offensive coaching gigs for NFL teams throughout his career.