Jim Harbaugh walked into the Chargers’ press conference room and, instead of heading to the podium, took a seat in the back next to the cameras.
During the nearly 45-minute interview with offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, Harbaugh wore a smile the entire time — even when McDaniel called him old.
Harbaugh looked at his offensive coordinator with the same expression he often gives his quarterback, Justin Herbert, or when he talks about him.
“I feel like we’re the same guy. He’s just taller,” McDaniel said. “I think that’s the cool thing, like everybody else, is that we’re excited for that.”
Two weeks earlier, when discussing what he wanted in an offensive coordinator, Harbaugh said he was looking for a head coach of the offense. That description made McDaniel a slam dunk.
The two met for lunch, then dinner, which turned into a handshake deal where McDaniel could continue to explore head coaching interviews but ultimately would end up coaching Herbert.
McDaniel is fully bought in, so much so that a wardrobe change might be coming.
“I am about to get off this interview and go buy some dockers,” McDaniel said on The Pat McAfee Show. “I am so all in.”
If changing his pants to match what his new boss wears doesn’t scream “all in,” it’s hard to know what does.
First and foremost, McDaniel raved about the potential of working with Herbert, who is coming off a season with 3,727 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions.
“Got a quarterback who I’ve always admired,” McDaniel said.
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
January 27, 2026; El Segundo, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh attends introductory press conference for offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel at The Bolt.
The former Miami Dolphins head coach recalled a play from Week 6 last season: Herbert faced second-and-10 from his own 41-yard line, evaded a sack from Jaelan Phillips, and found Ladd McConkey over the middle for a 42-yard gain. Cameron Dicker later kicked the game-winning field goal to give the Chargers a 29-27 victory.
“That’s when I knew,” McDaniel joked.
McDaniel was quickly asked whether he had already spoken with Herbert, and he confirmed the two connected immediately.
“He was in high spirits and just excited about attacking something. You lose in the playoffs, in the first round, it’s a lot of work that you feel kind of like you have an empty stomach,” McDaniel said. “That hunger, I could hear it in his voice.
“He was excited to start a new chapter and to really attack the process of the offseason to be our best versions of ourselves come next fall. It was enthusiastic,” McDaniel added. “I was in a room talking in a really loud inside voice out of passion and I think he recognized that. We were both geeked for the future and the possibilities that it brings.”
The relationship between McDaniel and Herbert will be critical, especially since this offense is unlike anything Herbert has previously run.
Former Chargers coordinators Shane Steichen and Joe Lombardi likely got the most out of Herbert, particularly when Keenan Allen and Mike Williams were playing at a high level.
Herbert never looked comfortable in Greg Roman’s system, not because it was run-first, but because the system felt outdated.
Herbert needs an offense that picks its spots for when he has to wear the cape, rather than asking him to do it repeatedly, as he was forced to this season.
“It’ll be one of the first things that we’ll try to do, take a little off his plate so he is free to do that when his greatness is required,” McDaniel said. “There’s probably a plethora of examples, you guys can go in your rolodex, as far as plays he’s made that you assume others can’t.”
“So, I would say some quicker completions,” McDaniel added. “We’ll still pump the ball down the field, but having that at your disposal can really help a quarterback and really help pass protection.”
At some point, McDaniel will sit down, watch the tape from this season, and ask the same question many football people already have: how did Justin Herbert lead this team to 11 wins?
There were games, like Week 3 against Denver, where Nik Bonitto was constantly in Herbert’s face, yet Herbert still delivered the game-winning touchdown to Allen. There was the McConkey completion in Denver and moments where Herbert beat defenses with his legs, including against Philadelphia. The heroics were constant.
Jordon Kelly-The Sporting Tribune
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) looks to throw the ball during a NFL game against the Philadelphia Eagles on. Monday December 08, 2025 at Sofi Stadium in Inglewood, CA.
Jesse Minter’s defense was among the best in the league, but there were multiple moments when the offense needed to step up and close games — and Herbert delivered.
He did all of this without left tackle Rashawn Slater and, for much of 2025, without right tackle Joe Alt. The makeshift offensive line allowed 54 sacks, 263 pressures, and more than 140 quarterback hits.
McDaniel said the Chargers are currently evaluating offensive line coach candidates. Names to watch include Frank Smith, his former offensive coordinator in Miami and Chargers offensive line coach in 2021, as well as Dolphins offensive line coach Butch Barry.
Around the league, McDaniel is often viewed as a flashy, speed-based play-caller who loves to throw the football. That label doesn’t bother him, but it also isn’t how he defines himself.
He believes his system can coexist seamlessly with Harbaugh’s philosophy.
“He (Harbaugh) likes to run the ball and I am, by trade, I spent a good portion of my career being in charge of the run game and being the run game coordinator,” McDaniel said. “I think you’re always playing to your skillsets and each team that you’re on has a different array of them.
“I think some of my run game prowess in the past has been different solutions for light boxes when you’re adept to pass, to run the ball. That core foundational belief that football is inside out, prioritizing the line of scrimmage play and being able to win games when you have a lead with nine minutes to go in the game and you can keep the defense off the field. I think those types of things, that’s where the like-minded football 101, core values of football kind of overlap.”
Dolphins running back De’Von Achane led the NFL with 5.7 yards per carry while totaling 1,350 rushing yards and 12 total touchdowns.
Now imagine what McDaniel could do with Omarion Hampton, the Chargers’ first draft pick, who battled the injury bug twice this season.
McDaniel is coming from coaching track stars like Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and Achane. The Chargers’ receiving group may not post fast 40-yard dash times, but McDaniel said these are players he has long admired.
“I think you adapt to what your skills are and try to get the best football players,” McDaniel said. “Then hope some of your football players have speed.”
The Chargers’ offensive staff has plenty of work ahead. They need to address the interior offensive line, as Bradley Bozeman and Mekhi Becton are unlikely fits for McDaniel’s system.
They’ll also evaluate which weapons best complement McConkey, Tre Harris, Quentin Johnston, and KeAndre Lambert-Smith and whether all four can fully adapt to McDaniel’s offense.
Finally, the Chargers must consider adding running backs or tight ends to bolster both the run game and passing attack. Outside of Oronde Gadsden, the team lacks consistent, sure-handed tight end production.
“Ultimately, our Chargers offense will look different than any offense I’ve coached before or any offense in the league,” McDaniel said.
Most importantly, the Chargers need playoff results. They are 0-2 in the Harbaugh era, and the time for excuses is over.
Justin Herbert is a franchise quarterback, and this system may finally be the one that helps him get over the playoff hump.
McDaniel might be the key to unlocking the real Justin Herbert.
“I think he hasn’t neared the ceiling of what he’s capable of,” McDaniel said.