Frank Smith did not join Mike McDaniel under Kyle Shanahan, but McDaniel hired him as a right-hand man last year. The results over the past two seasons will point Smith to the HC carousel.
Although Smith is a non-play-calling OC, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler notes he is likely to generate interest on the market. Seeing how eager teams have been to hire offense-oriented HCs and pretty much any coordinator from the Shanahan and Sean McVay trees, Smith receiving interview requests next month should be expected.
Tua Tagovailoa showing signs of a turnaround in 2022 did not garner Smith any HC interviews this year. With the former top-five pick’s ’22 season marred by concussions, the Dolphins finished just 9-8 and needed to start three quarterbacks. Tagovailoa staying healthy this season has increased the appeal of McDaniel’s offense. The unit ranks second in scoring, first in total offense and second in DVOA. Tyreek Hill is also on pace to break Calvin Johnson‘s single-season receiving yardage record, albeit in one extra game, while Raheem Mostert leads the NFL with 18 touchdowns.
Smith, 42, came to Miami after a season as the Chargers’ offensive line coach and run-game coordinator under Brandon Staley and Joe Lombardi. McDaniel held the job of run-game coordinator for four seasons in San Francisco. As far as position groups go, Smith has coached the offensive line and tight ends — at stops with the Saints, Bears, Raiders and Chargers — prior to the Miami move. While Smith did not study under the trendy offensive HCs of the moment, he spent five years under Sean Payton and has now worked well with a Shanahan disciple. He profiles as the first prospective McDaniel tree branch.
Teams cannot interview coaches employed elsewhere until after the divisional round this year; the NFL made that change recently to help allow coaches to focus on their teams’ playoff assignments. The Dolphins have not lost a coordinator to a head coaching job since the Broncos hired Vance Joseph over Shanahan in 2017. Barring a Dolphins freefall to close out the season, McDaniel’s right-hand man on offense stands to join other assistants in receiving interview summons.
Frank Smith and his offense had one good game, exceptional game versus the Broncos and that was it
I think it would be a mistake, then again
Still though, he came from the Chargers and Brandon Staley who are completely inept!!!!
I’m just here to see how fast the Chargers HC will get fired.
lol.
1. Have Tyreek Hill
2. Throw to Tyreek Hill
3. Profit
Titans game showed you how lost that offense is without him. One read Tua can’t operate much more than a college offense.