Since entering the NFL as an intern back in 2005, Mike McDaniel has spent a lot of time around some solid players and coaches.
However, on his current team, no one has spent more time with him than running back Raheem Mostert. Mostert signed with the San Francisco 49ers in 2016, and McDaniel joined the coaching staff as a run-game coordinator the following year.
The two worked closely together for four years in San Francisco, with McDaniel eventually being promoted to offensive coordinator in his final season with the team in 2021.
When McDaniel accepted the Dolphins’ head coaching position the following year, Mostert was quick to follow, signing a one-year deal worth $2.13 million after injuries had cut his prior two seasons short.
The former Purdue back flourished in his first year with the aqua and orange, rushing for a career-high 891 yards and three touchdowns.
And, now, after re-signing on a two-year deal in the offseason, Mostert is leading the league in rushing touchdowns with nine through the first six games. He’s also added another two in the receiving game.
While he’s due to the credit for his own success, McDaniel has also earned a hefty slice of that.
On Tuesday, Mostert joined “The Pat McAfee Show” and spoke about his head coach, and how little he’s changed since moving up the coaching tree.
“What you see is what you get,” Mostert said. “He’s very consistent. (In my time) with him in San Francisco, when he was a run-game coordinator and potential offensive coordinator, he’s always had this level head of wanting to be great, wanting guys around him to be great and wanting the players to be great. He’s taken that role times ten in the head coaching job. For him, he’s all about consistency. And, he’s been able to be consistent as a head coach, leader and play-caller. This guy is just truly something remarkable.”
McDaniel has been unapologetically himself from the moment he was offered the job by Stephen Ross and the rest of the team’s decision-makers, and the Dolphins are better for it. He’s empowered his players to do the same, and everyone seems to be enjoying their time and, more importantly, bonding together and winning on the field.
