On Thursday, we learned the San Francisco 49ers turned down multiple requests from teams looking to poach run-game coordinator Mike McDaniel. Kyle Shanahan is the offensive architect, but he clearly likes what McDaniel brings to the table. And so do the 49ers running backs. Kyle Juszczyk, Jerick McKinnon, and Matt Breida all chimed in on Twitter Friday morning.
My guy ain’t going anywhere!
— Kyle Juszczyk (@JuiceCheck44) January 11, 2019
Say it louder for the people in the back Juice !
— Jerick Mckinnon (@JetMckinnon1) January 11, 2019
Never said it better Juice man!
— Matt Breida (@MattBreida) January 11, 2019
Juice, Jet, and Breida are not the only players who are fans of what McDaniel brings to the table. Former NFL wide receiver Andrew Hawkins played for the Cleveland Browns in 2014 when McDaniel was the wide receivers coach. On Thursday, Hawkins tweeted effusive praise for McDaniel.
Hearing multiple teams have inquired about 49ers Run-Game Coordinator Mike McDaniel for OC.
— Andrew Hawkins (@Hawk) January 10, 2019
I played one season under Mike, & if they want an “offensive guru”, Id bet ever dollar in my account that no other candidate understands offensive football the way he does. EVERY. DOLLAR.
We don’t know the specifics of what McDaniel does with Shanahan. Once you get past the OC (Shanahan in this case), it’s not always clear what a position coach or other assistant does. However, when you get these kinds of testimonials, it offers a little more context as to what he brings to the table.