Mike McDaniel Hasn’t Crossed Bucs Off List (Yet)
January 18th, 2026
Still in play.
Former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel came and left One Buc Palace on Friday. He entered looking for a job. He left still looking for a job.
Don’t fret, Bucs fans. It appears McDaniel will take his time to decide. That comes from the pride of Seminole High School, Jeff Darlington of ESPN, who appears that Darlington has a pipeline into McDaniel’s camp.
Yesterday Darlington twittered that McDaniel has been impressed with offensive coordinator openings he’s explored. However, McDaniel is still interviewing for a head coaching gig.
And if offered, McDaniel is likely leaning toward being a head coach again. Shocking, yeah, Joe knows.
McDaniel is planning a few more head coach interviews — but he very much likes the OC jobs on the table.
Darlington also referenced his previous Twitter stating McDaniel has not written of the Bucs’ opening.
When it was first learned McDaniel would interview with the Bucs, Darlington noted the autonomy Todd Bowles would afford McDaniel appealed to the former Dolphins shot-caller.
So what happened Friday in the interview on Friday? No one is talking yet. And McDaniel is off to interview for more head coaching gigs. But if McDaniel strikes out on that front, it appears the Bucs will still be in play for him to run the Bucs offense.