Falcons to interview former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, per report

The Atlanta Falcons have wrapped up four interviews for their head coaching vacancy, and more are expected to come over the next few days. According to a report from NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Falcons are one of four teams scheduled to interview former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel this week.

McDaniel was fired by the Dolphins a full week after the season ended despite it initially appearing that he might return. Over four seasons in Miami, he led the team to a 35-33 record. McDaniel is another experienced candidate with ties to Falcons president of football Matt Ryan.

The two were in Atlanta together during Ryan’s historic 2016 MVP campaign season. When Kyle Shanahan left to take the job as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers in 2017, McDaniel followed and eventually took over as Shanahan’s offensive coordinator in 2021. One year later, he was hired by the Dolphins as head coach.

Things initially went well for McDaniel in Miami, leading the team to the playoffs in his first two seasons and helping quarterback Tua Tagovailoa develop into a quality starting quarterback before injuries set in. After missing the playoffs in back-to-back years, the Dolphins decided to make a change.

A notable connection: Mike McDaniel was an assistant coach with the Falcons when Matt Ryan, the team’s newly hired President of Football, won NFL MVP and went to the Super Bowl nine years ago. https://t.co/uEwm0tY2Aj

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 12, 2026

McDaniel’s offensive expertise could help develop Michael Penix Jr. into the player Atlanta envisioned when drafting him with the No. 8 overall pick. Penix improved his touchdown-to-interception ratio this season before partially tearing his ACL in Week 11. The young QB is expected to return in time for the start of the 2026 NFL season.

The Falcons have completed four interviews for their head coaching vacancy, including both Seattle Seahawks coordinators Klint Kubiak and Aden Durde. Check out the full list below.