When we imagine the NFL like a high school classroom, the assumption is that everyone is crowded around the seats of Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan, hoping for a glimpse at the test before it’s time to turn it in.
There’s no doubt that both of these coaches have contributed significantly to the forward momentum of American football. But lost in this discussion is the fact that—before Shanahan and McVay turn in their papers—both will also be looking at what Mike McDaniel has done as well. The NFL is a copycat league but some coaches tend to be copied off more often.
