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Mike McDaniel, formerly of of the Miami Dolphins, will interview for the Cleveland Browns job.
The Buffalo Bills have scheduled a range of interviews for their suddenly vacant head coaching position, but may be down one candidate.
Reporter Albert Breer of The Monday Morning Quarterback reported on Friday that the Bills were taking a look at former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel to replace recently fired Sean McDermott, even though he recently landed another position out west.
“The Bills are interviewing new Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel for their head coaching job today, per source,” Breer reported. “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.”
But McDaniel made an abrupt decision, one that could leave the Bills searching for a new candidate.
Mike McDaniel Pulls Out of Bills Interview
The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported that McDaniel pulled out of the interview, which was to take place in Florida.
“McDaniel, 42, interviewed for several head-coaching openings in this cycle and planned to meet with the Bills in Florida on Friday before canceling, according to a team source,” Russini reported. “He also backed out of a scheduled second interview with the Cleveland Browns on Wednesday, per a league source. He has interviewed for the Las Vegas Raiders opening, which remains unfilled.”
The Bills had already been in Florida for a series of interviews, including one with quarterback Philip Rivers, Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, and Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski.
As Russini reported, the Bills had already logged a series of interviews back in Buffalo as well, including a pair of familiar faces.
“On Wednesday, the Bills completed an in-house interview with their offensive coordinator, Joe Brady,” Russini reported. “The next day, they interviewed former New York Giants coach Brian Daboll — who previously worked as the Bills’ offensive coordinator — and Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo.”
It was not clear if McDaniel was removing himself from consideration for Buffalo’s job, or whether he might find another time for an interview.
Brian Daboll Seen as Strong Candidate
While the Bills have been relatively quiet in conducting their head coaching search and not tipped their hand as to who will replace McDermott, many insiders believe Daboll is among the strongest candidates.
Reporter Ralph Ventre of SI.com suggested that Daboll’s history with the team — and especially with quarterback Josh Allen — could work in his favor.
“The hometown candidate has multiple factors on his side, including his history with Allen,” Ventre wrote. “Calling the plays for the quarterback’s first four seasons, Daboll helped Allen put it all together and become a perennial MVP candidate.”
Allen is part of the interview process, showing the team’s commitment to their franchise quarterback. Ventre noted that Daboll found some early success as head coach of the New York Giants before a more recent downturn.
“Daboll also offers prior head coaching experience, and although it didn’t end well this past November, his New York Giants’ tenure included a playoff victory with Daniel Jones at quarterback,” Ventre wrote.
Ventre noted that Daboll has some other interest, meeting with the Tennessee Titans and Philadelphia Eagles about offensive coordinator openings.
Nathan Dougherty is a sports reporter covering the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins. Previously he wrote for the Rochester Business Journal and served as the assistant editor of athletic trade magazines Coaching Management, Athletic Management and Training & Conditioning. He is based out of Rochester, New York, and loves everything football. More about Nathan Dougherty
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