Served as offensive coordinator from 2017-2022.
McDaniel, 37, will enter his fifth season with the 49ers in 2021 after spending the previous four years with the team as the run game coordinator (2018-20) and run game specialist (2017).
Over the last two seasons (2019-20), San Francisco's offense has averaged 131.1 rushing yards per game, ranking sixth in the NFL over that span. The team finished the 2019 season ranked second in the NFL and first in the NFC in that same category, averaging 144.1 rushing yards per game. The 49ers 42 rushing touchdowns since 2019 are tied for the third-most in the NFL, and tied for the most in the NFC, in that span.
While working with running backs coach Robert Turner Jr. and offensive line coach John Benton, the 2019 San Francisco 49ers led the NFL with 23 rushing touchdowns and ranked second in rushing yards per game (144.1). The 49ers ground attack featured three players with 500-or-more rushing yards in a single season (RB Raheem Mostert – 772; RB Matt Breida – 623; RB Tevin Coleman – 544) for just the second time in franchise history (1954 - three players). In 1954, three of the four members of the "Million Dollar Backfield" had more than 500 rushing yards in Joe Perry (1,049), John Henry Johnson (681) and Hugh McElhenny (515). FB Kyle Juszczyk was selected to the Pro Bowl for the fourth-consecutive season. In the postseason, the 49ers averaged 204.0 rushing yards per game as Mostert led the way with 336 yards and five touchdowns on 36 carries (6.3 average).
In 2018, with Turner Jr., McDaniel helped guide the 49ers ground game as the team rushed for 1,902 yards and seven touchdowns on 423 carries. San Francisco's 118.9 rushing yards per game ranked 13th in the NFL and seventh in the NFC in 2018. RB Matt Breida led the team with 153 carries for 814 yards (5.3 average) and three touchdowns. His 5.3 average yards per carry ranked fourth in the NFL and was the highest rushing average by a 49ers running back (minimum 100 carries) since 2006 (RB Frank Gore – 5.4 average). Additionally, FB Kyle Juszczyk earned Pro Bowl honors for the third-consecutive season.
Working with Turner Jr. in 2017, McDaniel helped the 49ers rush for 1,662 yards and 15 touchdowns on 408 carries. San Francisco ranked tied for seventh in the NFL in both rushing touchdowns (15) and carries of 10-or-more yards (53). FB Kyle Juszczyk was named to the Pro Bowl for the second-consecutive season and his first time as a member of the 49ers and rookie RB Matt Breida averaged 4.43 yards per carry, ranking 10th in the NFL (minimum 100 carries).
McDaniel came to San Francisco after two years with the Atlanta Falcons. With Atlanta in 2016, McDaniel worked with wide receivers coach Raheem Morris, as WR Julio Jones reached 1,000 receiving yards for the third-consecutive season. Additionally, WRs Taylor Gabriel and Mohamed Sanu each reached career highs in their first season with the team, as Gabriel caught a career-high six touchdown passes while Sanu registered a career-high 59 receptions.
During the 2015 season, Atlanta's offense saw Jones pass former 49ers WR Jerry Rice for second all-time in the single-season receiving yards list, with 1,871 yards. Jones also finished with 136 receptions, tied for the most in the NFL.
McDaniel joined Atlanta following one season (2014) as the Cleveland Browns wide receivers coach. Under McDaniel, WR Andrew Hawkins posted career highs with 63 receptions for 824 yards and two touchdowns. McDaniel also helped Gabriel during his rookie year finish second on the team with 621 receiving yards on 36 receptions.
Before his year in Cleveland, McDaniel spent three seasons with Washington, first as an offensive assistant (2011-12) and later moved to wide receivers coach in 2013. In his lone season as wide receivers coach, McDaniel worked with WR Pierre Garçon, who led the NFL and set a franchise record with 113 receptions. His total surpassed Hall of Fame WR Art Monk's mark of 106, which lasted 29 years.
From 2009-10, McDaniel served as running backs coach for the UFL's Sacramento Mountain Lions. With the Mountain Lions, RB Cory Ross earned UFL Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2010. Prior to Sacramento, he spent three seasons as an offensive assistant with the Houston Texans (2006-08). McDaniel first entered coaching in the NFL in 2005 as an intern with the Denver Broncos.
A native of Greeley, CO, McDaniel played collegiately at Yale University where he earned a degree in history. McDaniel is married to his wife Katie.
