Dolphins' Mike McDaniel gets favorable ranking in head coach list despite lack of playoff success

The Miami Dolphins have been one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL over the last two seasons thanks in large part to the work that Mike McDaniel has done since becoming head coach.

Coming from the Kyle Shanahan tree as the former run game coordinator and offensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers, McDaniel brought over a tremendous attack that centers around running teams into stacking the box to set up one-safety situations where the passing game can then rip teams apart with the speed of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.

The Dolphins led the NFL in total offense in 2023 and made it to the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2000 and 2001. For that reason, McDaniel was put in the tier of “The Best In The Game” in CBS’ NFL head coach rankings , but also noted the pressure he and the team face in 2024.

“Like his quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, McDaniel is suddenly under some pressure to come up big in key spots, which is justified considering the unmatched track speed his offense possesses,” Cody Benjamin wrote. “Still, it's important to remember how much -- and how quickly -- his timing-based attack vaulted Tagovailoa and Co. into MVP discussions. Two postseason tickets in two years suggests he's here to stay as a head man.”

While the Dolphins have been explosive in the regular season, they have yet to win a playoff game with this current group, and their last playoff win as a franchise came back in 2000. In order for McDaniel to really be considered one of the best coaches in football, the Dolphins need to start winning when it matters.