Newly hired offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel doesn’t envision having any personality clashes with coach Jim Harbaugh after joining the Los Angeles Chargers’ coaching staff.
During Tuesday’s introductory press conference, McDaniel quipped he and Harbaugh are “the same guy.” He went on to joke Harbaugh already tried selling him on switching to transition lenses for his glasses.
Perhaps the two will wind up taking some traits from one another. They’d seemingly benefit from that.
During his four years as coach of the Miami Dolphins, McDaniel earned a reputation for being more laid-back and accessible. That might’ve been his undoing, however, as he seemed unable to reverse the tide when the vibes inside Miami’s locker room turned sour.
Harbaugh is the polar opposite, which has created its own problems. It took just four years for the San Francisco 49ers to grow tired of him despite having a .695 winning percentage over that period. He also occasionally clashed with athletic director Warde Manuel during his Michigan run.
McDaniel and Harbaugh may not be together all that long. If the Chargers perform well on offense while making the playoffs in 2026, their OC will be right back in the frame for a head-coaching gig elsewhere.
But this pairing could be a lot of fun for fans for as long as it lasts.