Patriot fans had much to talk about as the NFL season prepared to kick off, as aspirations spiked amongst widespread roster improvements. Outside of prominent new players like Will Campbell, Stefon Diggs, and Trevyone Henderson, New England’s front office signed crucial coaching staff familiar with “The Patriot Way.” Former all-pro linebacker Mike Vrabel filled headlines across the league as he brought his developed head coach expertise from the Tennessee Titans to Foxborough, the home of his playing career. The perfect fit at the pivotal position of the head coach partially overshadowed another season-defining choice, as the acclaimed offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels returned for his third stint with the Patriots.
Hingham High junior and lifelong Patriots superfan Stefan Mikhaylov commented, “Josh McDaniels’ return is a great sign; I remember the prime Patriots’ historic offense under him and Brady.”
Born in Canton, Ohio in April of 1976, McDaniels grew up surrounded by football. His father, Thom, received recognition as the USA Today 1997 High School Coach of the Year, teaching his son to be an intelligent quarterback and coach. McDaniels attended John Carroll University as a converted wide receiver, playing for three years before beginning his coaching career as a senior graduate assistant coach at Michigan State University, learning under the great Nick Saban.
McDaniels started his legendary career with the Patriots in 2001 as a mere personal assistant, though he soon climbed to the defensive coaching assistant, then the quarterback coach, all in a short span of four seasons, during which the team won three Super Bowls. A vacancy at offensive coordinator provided McDaniels the opportunity to play call in the 2005 season, seizing his chance to the fullest and never relinquishing those privileges. 2007 saw a stacked New England roster headed by Tom Brady and Randy Moss shattering records under McDaniels’ strategy. The various bright highlights of McDaniels’ coordinator career earned him head coaching stints in Denver and Las Vegas, though rough patches running these teams returned McDaniel to his niche on the Pats.
Though relegated back to a coordinator, McDaniels has found profound success in his role. Having a masterful offensive mind in Josh McDaniels has proved invaluable in the development of sophomore quarterback Drake Maye. Under his guidance, Maye has blossomed from a raw rookie quarterback to an MVP frontrunner, operating McDaniels’ offense among the league’s best in passing yards and points per game.
Season ticket holder Frank Csrnko praised Maye’s accelerated progression, stating, “He seems far past his second year, to already be leading the MVP race.”
McDaniels’ role in this success is evident in the lacking group he inherited: transforming the Patriots’ offense that was near the bottom of the NFL last season to a formidable opponent today, blazing their way to the league-best 11-2 record. Success is seen through an impressive average of 362 yards per game, achieved through a diverse playbook advancing Maye’s arm talent and the team’s offensive weapons.
Outside of his current excellency, McDaniels’ return carries symbolic weight. He has been part of all six of the Patriots’ Super Bowl championships, and his bond with the franchise is deep. Put himself, “My best memories in pro football have all occurred here, and I don’t think that’s a secret to anybody.”
For Patriots fans, McDaniels ties the dynasty years to the future. His ability to nurture quarterbacks has proven itself again with the amazing development of Maye, leading an entirely reenergized offense. Whether McDaniels remains to rebuild a Patriots powerhouse or again pursues another head coaching opportunity, his legacy as one of the NFL’s premier offensive minds is unmistakable.
